Contact: Mike Myslinski at 650-552-5324
BURLINGAME – David A. Sanchez, president of the 340,000-member California Teachers Association, issued this statement on the Republicans’ new proposal to resolve the state’s budget deficit crisis by slashing public education funding an additional $10 billion:
“California Republicans in the Legislature are moving the state and our schools closer to financial disaster with their divisive state budget deficit plan that guts education. The Republican plan would create an education recession that undermines the future of California students for years to come. Things are so bad that the state today announced it’s halting hundreds of school construction projects due to the budget crisis.
“California already ranks 46th in the nation in education spending per student, and has already cut funding for our classrooms this year by more than $3 billion. Yet the Republicans still refuse to even consider raising new revenues. Instead, the GOP solution is to slash $10 billion more from public education funding. That sends a clear message to students, teachers and parents that public education is not a priority.
“Cutting $10 billion more from our schools would be catastrophic for student learning. It’s the equivalent of cutting nearly 200,000 classroom teachers, or reducing spending by more than $1,500 per student. Teachers know there is a better way. We will continue to look at all options available to provide students with the stable new revenues needed to deliver the quality education our students deserve.”