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by drk12 from Corona Ca

Last Post 10 days, 19 hours Ago


Devastation for our kids
Mar 1, 2008 | 4:35 PM
Category: Political
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If you havn't taken notice or are simply are not informed, you should probably take the time and talk to your local school administrator and find out the facts about the Governors budget proposal.

As a parent and an administrator, I was both outraged and saddened to learn the potential results of the proposed budget plan that Governor Schwarzenegger has in store for California's schools and children. The proposal calls for a $4.8 BILLION cut in funding to our schools. Year after year, we are being forced to fight to ensure our children recieve the quality education they need and deserve.

It seems that whenever the state faces a budget shortage, politicians immediately attack our children and our schools to solve the problem. Thats just not fair. Our children had nothing to do with creating the current budget problems and funding for their education is supposed to protected. I don't see them cutting Cal trans budget with the same zeal, especially after all of the negative articles about overspending and missed deadlines on projects that have cost taxpayers HUNDREDS of MILLIONS of DOLLARS over the last decade.

The Governor's $4.8 BILLION  budget cut will severely damage the quality of education in our state. The proposal would decimate the voter-approved minimum-funding guarantee for schools(prop. 98). Never mind that California spends $1900 less per pupil than the national average. That is incredibly short-sighted and simply unacceptable. Californians should be very concerned that the Governor is tossing your will to the trash.

These budget reductions would be disastrous to public schools. A $4.8 BILLION cut to scools would mean laying off tens of thousands of teachers, statewide increases in class size and the futher errosion of the support staff provided to our students. This would threaten the progress that our kids are begining to make.

At a time when we are starting to see progress in student learning throughout California, this budget represents a giant step backward. Reading scores are up 25 percent and math scores have increased 17 percent in the last four years. How much has spending increased by Cal trans with the promise of less cost on projects due to inovative ideas, only to cost taxpayers HUNDREDS OF MILLION OF DOLLARS due to poor plans, missed deadline, and penalties levied by courts due to contractors claims of non-payment. I will tell you this, educational progress cannot continue with these proposed cuts.

As a parent I understand the challenges inherent in balancing a budget however, which of us would neglect our children because we are trying to trim the budget? I strongly oppose the Governor's 2008-09 budget proposal and plans to eviscerate funding for students and schools. Our kids and schools did not create this budget problem, and their education and future progress shouldn't be undermined because of it. Our children, our students, deserve better than this and as our elected representatives, our Senators, Assembly persons, and our Governor should take our concerns seriously.

I suggest that we all take interest in this issue and contact our State representatives.

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Member Comments Total Comments: 11
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dasvics read my blog view my photos
Mar 2, 2008 | 11:34 AM

great. as if things wheren't bad enough already. I might as well home school my kids.
drk12 read my blog view my photos
Mar 3, 2008 | 4:15 PM

I just recieved a response from the Governor, ha, ha, I mean a computer that sends out an automated email depending on wether you click on the pro or con box regarding this issue.

It's interesting that when I was on the Governor's site that takes email comments for different issues, there was a section for the housing and mortgage crisis and what California is prepared to do to help with this crisis.

Whats interesting about this is that the proposed budget cuts will only contribute to the whole mess that is called a budget deficit. Where will the tens of thousands of released and non-reelected teachers and other educational and classified staff go for income? Unemployment? Other schools? Wait I'm sorry those other schools are facing the same cuts aren't they? I guess they thought we wouldn't factor this in, or they didn't factor it in. Either way the Governor's budget proposal only adds to California's financial crisis. Many of the people that will be released have purchased homes in their first year of employment, and as many know school district employee's are paid once per month and are already on a strict budget. Remember when I wrote that California spends $1900 less per pupil than the national average... that equals less money paid to the teacher as well.

The auto-email suggests that the budget cuts will stop a $3 billion increase that prop 98 would have mandated and only cuts $1 billion in actual funds, I don't know who they are trying to convince but I assure you I can do the math and it still equals $4 billion in cuts. Let me ask you, how do you think prog
drk12 read my blog view my photos
Mar 3, 2008 | 5:02 PM

Opps,

Contiued;
Progress will continue with these massive cuts? Don't take my word for the gospel, take a look at other situations that ended up with tragic results. Michigan auto workers were informed by the then CEO of GM that the company was reducing its cost by eliminating some plants in the US and moving those operations to Mexico. This action ultimately ended up with 30 thousand+ job layoffs and the economic destruction of several demographics not only in Michigan but other areas of the Great Lakes region. The area of Flynt is now plagued with crime, untold numbers of vacant buildings due to forclosure, and mass unemployment. Is this even remote possibility what California wants to risk here?

With the state of economics the way it is right now isn't it more reasonable to look for alternate sources of revenue? I think it is. I don't think the Governor wants to addmit that the budget can't be balanced without raising taxes, is that so bad? Based on 2006 estimates if taxes were raised by $20 per person it would mean an increase of $7 billion. You do the math and tell me if the negative effects of a 10% budget cut accross the board are more effective than $20 per person per year in increased taxes.
dasvics read my blog view my photos
Mar 3, 2008 | 6:29 PM

$20 a year? that's all I need to pay extra in taxes to help with California's defecit? that's it? well that doesn't sound too bad. I'm down. heck we spend more on video games. I'd rather invest the $20 in our state & childrens education.
olgrama read my blog view my photos
Mar 3, 2008 | 11:27 PM

It's seems a little ironic to me that the first to go will be the teachers, I just read where the superintendent of Capistrano schools just got a hefty raise to $368,000. If they cut the bureaucratic bullcrap and the unneeded hangers-on, the teachers could keep their jobs. The administrators should not be allowed to make more than say- 10% more than the top paid teachers. And I've given up writing to swartzy, didn't you hear him say he won't listen to bad news he only wants to hear what will make him popular, well ain't gonna happen - and I don't even think he was a good actor and he's a lousy governor.....although his pandering is getting better, don't you think?
drk12 read my blog view my photos
Mar 4, 2008 | 12:47 AM

Your right, it is a little ironic that teachers are the first to go, I guess since the Governor wasn't educated here in the states he has no appreciation for what they endure. On the other note, I'm quite sure that the salary for the Capistrano superintendent was an error that is a not the biggest district out there and I know that there are other districts that are 1st and 2nd for the highest paid superintendents in California. Also I don't know what your background is so I will inform you of the great burden that is placed on a superintendent to run a district. If you look at my info and see my credentials you will notice the amount of education that is required to gain a position like that. those Universities do not come by inexpensivly. Just thought you would want to know the reason that I don't agree with the standard for pay that you mentioned.

As for writing the Governor, I think it is a good idea that as many people that can write or email, do so. While your at it email your Senator and your Assembly person, it all helps when they go to pass or fail the proposal.
DfDeportation read my blog view my photos
Mar 4, 2008 | 5:47 PM

California has a structural deficit of $10 BILLION due to taxpayer benefits going to Illegal Aliens and their children.
drk12 read my blog view my photos
Mar 4, 2008 | 6:22 PM

Your right, and it will only get worse if those same illegals are granted amnesty or whatever the politicians want to call it. I find it ironic that H. Clinton says that "we need to get these people out of the shadows so that they can be productive members of society. All they have to do is pay a fine, start to pay their back taxes, and go through the process of naturalization. Oh and so long as they haven't committed any crimes they can stay, but if they have committed a crime they will be deported". Maybe I'm just stupid, but didn't they commit a crime when they crossed our sovereign borders, well I guess they all get deported right?
teshione79 read my blog view my photos
Mar 5, 2008 | 8:32 AM

I feel lied to and deceived by our Governor. I was under the impression that when he was running he would ensure our education. When I voted for prop 98 I felt secure knowing that our elementary schools would be keeping the minimum funding need. As I read about the governor's proposed budget cuts I was very angry to read about our district having to scramble to save money. In my local paper almost everyday there is a new school who has planned layoffs and cut programs. These programs are very much needed and these teachers are vital to our child's learning and self esteem. Without this positive influences and catered programs our children will certainly be left behind!!
Our "no child left behind" program was a waste of needed funding. Talk about a program that was doomed! Now our districts are left holding the bag and our children and teachers are both suffering.
I would gladly pay the extra taxes to have these teachers, programs and schools protected by the budget cuts!!
o0lux0o read my blog view my photos
Mar 5, 2008 | 2:03 PM

Those are lies that I saw coming a long time ago and their now coming to fruition. I never bought into his [...] about the educational system. Just as bogus as the "no child left behind" [...] they fed to the American people. It's time to bring out those pens and start writing letters...
scooch read my blog view my photos
Mar 5, 2008 | 4:47 PM

Yes and remember to mention what dfd said. Maybe repeat & repeat will help.
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drk12

Undergrad UCLA/Scociology, Masters and Doctorate/USC Barbara J. and Roger W. Rossier School of Education, School Administrator

Member Since: 3/1/2008


 

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