Contact: Sandra Jackson at 916-325-1550
Sacramento – Representatives of the Education Coalition today urged the governor and lawmakers to work together to pass a state budget that continues the investments that have been made in public education, protects the integrity of Proposition 98 and provides COLA and growth for all K-12 and community college programs. Today’s announcement comes as the Legislature has yet to pass a budget agreement and many schools have already approved their budgets for the new school year.
“We have the opportunity to make California schools some of the best in the nation again for all children, but our schools cannot do it without adequate funding. We’re calling on the Legislature to make education the funding priority that it should be,” said Pam Brady, president of the California State PTA.
“Many schools and districts are preparing to begin the new school year next month. Any cuts could jeopardize class size reduction programs, student-to-teacher ratios, libraries, counselors and other important programs and services. ACSA urges the governor and lawmakers to uphold their commitment to protect the integrity of Proposition 98, and to provide full COLA and ADA growth for all K-12 programs in the state budget,” said Bob Wells, executive director of the Association of California School Administrators.
“Our students and schools are making progress. Cutting education funding now would threaten the gains we have made and will cause chaos for local school districts. California teachers are counting on the Legislature and the governor to give our schools the money they are owed under state law,” added David A. Sanchez, president of the California Teachers Association.
Dr. Kathy Kinley, president of the California School Boards Association said, “California schools are not backing away from their commitment to teach to the toughest academic standards in the country. The Legislature should not back away from its responsibility to give schools all the support they need.”
“Californians, their legislators and all of us working on behalf of students need to paddle in the same direction. That means working collaboratively to ensure students in every legislative district in the state have the resources they need to achieve success,” said Brian Lewis, executive director of the California Association of School Business Officials.