The Challenge For Our Schools

California policymakers initially said 2008 would be “the year of education.” Instead, it’s turned out to be the year of the multibillion-dollar budget deficit.

A slumping housing market and other factors have brought on a state shortfall of approximately $16 billion, and the governor has pledged not to raise taxes to make up the difference. It all adds up to big-time challenges for K-12 school districts, which will be significantly impacted in 2008-09.

So what does this all mean for Irvine?

Governor Schwarzenegger’s most recent budget proposal to strip $4.8 billion from public education would create a budgetary gap of $12.5 million in the Irvine Unified School District. Though the Governor’s spending plan will likely undergo many changes before an actual budget is adopted this summer, IUSD and other districts are bound by deadlines that necessitate decisions much sooner. In fact, we are required to finalize our budgets by June 30 – which will be weeks or months before a state budget is adopted.

Approved Budget Reductions for 2008-09 (Updated on April 16)

In response to the state’s fiscal crisis, the Board of Education on April 15 reluctantly approved all but one of the items on staff’s recommended list of budget reductions for 2008-09. The exception was item 5b, which would have reduced science instruction in grades four and five. Board members opted instead to preserve 120 minutes of fourth- and fifth-grade science instruction per week, directing staff to utilize one-time funds from an Irvine Ranch Water District reserve account.

IUSD is required to adopt its budget no later than June 30. However, many staffing decisions must be made sooner to ensure that principals have enough time to strategically and thoughtfully develop the best possible instructional programs for students.

Of the cuts made April 15, approximately $6.15 million will produce an ongoing savings that could help IUSD weather a multiyear fiscal crisis; the rest – approximately $6.45 million – comes from one-time funds that will help bridge the gap in 2008-09.

Parents, staff, community members and the Board had previously weighed in on proposed budget adjustments in public meetings and through suggestions submitted online. As a result, class-size reduction caps in the third and ninth grades were spared, and staff rescinded recommendations to trim athletics, media specialists, support for larger classes and the district’s popular Secondary Writing Project.

How to Advocate Against Cuts to Education

Write a letter to the Governor insisting he not penalize our students for the state’s budget woes.
(View a Sample Letter)

Contact your local Assembly member or Senator to urge the rejection the Governor’s proposed cuts.
(View a Sample Letter)

Write a letter to the editor of your favorite newspaper opposing the Governor’s proposed cuts to education.

• Irvine World News: ddennis@ocregister.com. Letters will be edited for length, grammar and clarity, and those of less than 200 words will be given preference. All letters must include a name, city of residence and a phone number. The number will not be published.

• Orange County Register: letters@ocregister.com or P.O. Box 11626, Santa Ana, CA 92711-1626. Letters will be edited for length, grammar and clarity, and those of about 200 words will be given preference. All letters must include a name and telephone number, which will not be published.
  
  
• Los Angeles Times: ocletters@latimes.com or 202 W. 1st Street Los Angeles, CA 90012. Please do not send group letters or attachments.

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