Governor's budget would be a major setback for schools

 

'Staggering' cuts trouble educators

By Bruce Lieberman, Sherry Saavedra and Tanya Sierra

UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITERS

January 13, 2008

SAN DIEGO – The budget cut respite, if there ever was one, is over.

Public school officials said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed cuts in education funding for 2008-09 would reach deep into classrooms.

STATE EDUCATION BUDGET ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK

The governor has proposed several large cuts in public education over the next 18 months:

$400 million: In midyear cuts this fiscal year

$4.4 billion: For K-12 districts in 2008-09

$1.1 billion: For higher education in 2008-09

SOURCE: Governor's office

Last week, the governor proposed cutting more than $5.6 billion from education budgets in fiscal 2008-09. He called for a $400 million “midyear” cut this year.

According to Schwarzenegger's office and state education officials, the cuts would be distributed this way:

K-12 school districts would lose $360 million this year in a “midyear” cut and $4.4 billion more in fiscal 2008-09, which begins July 1.

The state's community colleges would lose $40 million in a midyear cut and $484 million more in 2008-09.

The University of California system would have to cut $332 million in 2008-09.

The California State University system would face a $312.9 million decrease in 2008-09.

Cuts within California's public colleges and universities could result in fee hikes for San Diego County's college students.

...For the rest of the story, follow the link...

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > State -- Governor's budget would be a major setback for schools