Education Leaders Decry Devastating Cuts to Education with Approval of State Budget

West Sacramento, Calif. – It was déjà vu all over again when state lawmakers slashed education by billions today with the approval of the state budget. Total cuts to Proposition 98 in 2008-09 and 2009-10 have reached $5.7 billion—on top of the cuts already made in September and February. While Proposition 98’s minimum education funding guarantee will not be suspended, an accounting maneuver has been utilized to make a $1.6 billion cut from Proposition 98 in the fiscal year that ended June 30 in order to reduce the base for 2009-10.

"Once again, the Governor and legislative leaders have failed our students," said Scott P. Plotkin, executive director of the California School Boards Association. "Our kids are paying the consequences for the state’s unacceptable funding system. These cuts will cause lasting harm to our students and our state’s ability to compete and succeed in the future.”

Though the budget includes repayment of the $11.2 billion maintenance factor that will restore funding to schools in future years, the maintenance factor reimbursement will not take place until the state’s economy stabilizes. And because corporate tax breaks reducing the state’s revenue are expected to go into effect soon, the state’s ability to repay this funding in upcoming years is at risk.

Even with the eventual repayment of the maintenance factor funds, the K-12 funding cuts in the budget approved today will have a devastating and lasting impact on public education and future generations.

“Increased class sizes, cuts to key education programs, additional layoffs for teachers, librarians, counselors and administrators and a shorter school year are just a few of the overwhelming consequences our districts face with this budget plan,” said Paula S. Campbell, CSBA President. “When schools re-open next month for the new school year, we will all see the profound impact of these draconian cuts.”

The $5.7 billion taken from education funding in this budget is just one of the many enacted cuts throughout the past year. Cuts from last September and February include the following:

• $1.6 billion from sweeping up 2008-09 funding for schools that has been appropriated but not actually sent to districts and county offices.
• $2.4 billion from 2009-10 general purpose spending for local education agencies.
• $1.7 billion in revenues that are deferred into 2010-11.

The approved budget also includes the ability for schools to reduce the school year to 175 days, which is authorized at the discretion of each school district. Reducing the school year provides significant challenges locally, such as the need to negotiate the provision with employee unions.

For more information about the consequences of California’s education funding cuts, please contact Brittany McKannay at 916-214-8180.