CUTS TO STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS ARE ONEROUS AND UNFAIR
We strongly oppose budget proposals that cut an additional $10.8 billion from schools over the next 18 months. We also oppose any manipulation of Proposition 98, the state’s minimum school funding law, and current proposals to take $7 billion from our schools that would never be repaid, in direct violation of the constitutional guarantee. Lawmakers need to raise revenues and solve California’s budget problem without further detrimental cuts to an already underfunded public school system.

FLEXIBILITY WILL ALLOW LOCAL DISTRICTS TO PUT STUDENTS FIRST
Mid-year and budget year cuts to public schools will disrupt educational programs and classroom learning. We urge lawmakers to support broad fiscal flexibility proposals that protect revenue limit programs including adult education and ROC/P and ensure that local school districts - rather than state lawmakers - decide how to best maximize resources for students and classroom instruction.

SCHOOL FUNDING MUST BE ADEQUATE TO MEET EXPECTATIONS
A recent report by Education Week shows California ranks 47th in the nation in per-pupil funding. The $3.5 billion in cuts made last year have led to larger class sizes, more than 10,000 layoffs of teachers and other education support staff, and the further elimination of art, music, and career technical education programs. The catastrophic cuts proposed for K-12 education will cause major disruption in our schools and undermine an entire generation of students.

PUBLIC EDUCATION REMAINS A PRIORITY FOR VOTERS
The Obama administration and congressional leaders recognize that public education must be a budget priority. The federal economic stimulus package now under consideration would provide billions of dollars in funding for California’s public schools and will help maintain educational programs and services now threatened by the state’s budget crisis. The governor and lawmakers must reaffirm their commitment to students and they must prevent onerous and unfair cuts to schools while providing broad fiscal flexibility that protects revenue limit programs and ensures local districts can decide what's best for local students.

Find out what YOU can do right now to advocate for public schools. Download information, talking points and sample letters below.