As a result of the recent effort by Mt. Diablo Parents for Progress, many of us visited Monte Gardens Elementary and wrote to our California legislators, and the Governor, in protest of California budget cuts which will impact our state's schools, and our children's education . Like probably many of you, I received today, a letter from Assembly Member, Eleventh District, Mark DeSaulnier. He makes some points in his letter that warrant highlighting, and repeating:- California already ranks 46th of 50 states in per pupil spending.
- California ranks dead last in the number of counselors, librarians and other support staff.
- These proposed cuts will erode our ability to provide a quality education for our children.
This letter goes on to note some action items, things YOU, your friends and neighbors can do NOW to Say "No" to an "all cuts" budget!
Visit the Assembly Democrat's Budget website: http://adc.asm.ca.gov/issues/budget. At this site you'll find ways you can CALL, EMAIL, FAX or petition your support of a budget that does not take away from California Children.
You can download a petition here: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/issues/budget/pdf/Budget
Have your friends, family, neighbors and community sign the petition. It reads, "We, the undersigned, oppose an "all cuts" solution to California's fiscal emergency. An "all cuts" approach will do irreparable harm to California's education system, state parks, veterans programs and other vital services."
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Also, stay tuned for a LOCAL event taking place in Walnut Creek on May 14th where your voice can be heard. Join community members, legislators, teachers and others to protest these state budget cuts now, before its too late. More information coming - but mark your calendars now.
At what point is enough ENOUGH! Edu-budget cuts is like shopping at a 99 cent store - there are some good items to be found, but you wind up with 99 cents worth of education, less after tax.
ReplyDeleteMisterWriterLives
...please! Money is thrown at education every year and what happens? Test scores go down or only go up marginally? Money is not the answer. Every year I hear the same chant... more money! Yeah it would be great if teachers got paid more but ask yourself this... if a teacher got $100,000 per year with med bens, would the education level go up dramatically to justify all the money?
ReplyDeleteJessica... the education level goes up when QUALITY teachers can afford to work (and want to work) in the teaching profession. When they can afford live in the communities they teach in. When they have the supplies necessary to start the school year without having to come out of pocket. The education level goes up with there is art and music - and libraries and sports. The education level goes up when facilities aren't falling down or dangerous. The education level goes up when each child has a fair shot at learning. I'm not sure.. but it seems like all of the above takes money.
ReplyDeleteanon 11:44,
ReplyDeletemoney is poured into these areas every year... stats will tell you that money doesn't matter. What matters are good parents, upbringing, good teachers and community support. Money is just an excuse.
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteYou are clearly uninformed. I agree that money is not the only answer, but when education so underfunded in California, it is a huge limitation. Add on top of that the fact that there is little local control and that MDUSD is at the bottom of the funding level for the area, makes money matter. When 86% of our budget is personnel, it should be obvious that we are not going to be competitive with other districts for salary if our revenue is not equivalent to other districts. Again, money is not the only answer, as there are places where they have lots of money and little success, but when we are so low, the lack of resources becomes a true impediment.
The parents at the schools my kids have been at work their tails off to give the kids the things they'd be lacking if not for the fundraisers, donations and hands on help from parents. Those are things like computers, an ample library, art, music, enrichment activities, scholarships for things like camp and field trips. Further it has funded a much needed NEW playground, a laminating machine and other extras for the teachers, white boards to get away from chalk, air conditioning for the classrooms and much much more. How much more can parents do? There are always going to be parents willing to do what it takes. You'll never get 100% participation from parents... maybe not even 50% in some schools. Good parents aren't enough to give our kids what they need in their schools. Wishing it so with good teachers, good parents, good upbringing and community isn't going to do it - cuz the truth is "we" have very little control of those things and not all kids are created equal. Neither are all schools, all neighborhoods or all communities. Some schools (example Danville/Alamo) PFC's or PTA's have fundraising goals exceeding 1/2 a million dollars. Some in Concord are lucky if they get 30k to do the extras. Its not enough. And many parents DO take on the lions share of the work, of the fundraising and of the time. Its the same parents we see at kindergarten stations as we see setting up for 5th grade graduation... that group of parents are in each school and its simply not enough manpower to give the kids all they should have.
ReplyDelete