Schools
Muddy Waters Aren't Clearing Soon for School Funding
PTA Advocacy Day – where local parents, teachers and administrators head up to Sacramento to talk directly with legislators, analysis and lobbyists -- ended on a sour note, with Governor Brown withdrawing from further budget negotiations.
Tuesday was dedicated to activism and information with more than 150 members of the Lamorinda, Walnut Creek and San Ramon Valley PTAs and parent clubs heading up to Sacramento to hear from local legislators, advisors and lobbyists. After informative panels and speeches focused on the state of the schools today and reforms and initiatives for the future, the day ended with a tweet from KQED announcing an end to budget negotiations.
The result is that the June ballot to extend already existing taxes won’t happen. However, Governor Brown in this video explained that the fight isn’t over. While parents and communities brace for cuts, the muddy waters continue to stir, with little clarity on what monies will be available and when.
What is clear at the moment is that March 15 pink slips were handed out to meet legal requirements of notification as districts must plan for cuts, even if the cuts don’t happen. Moraga School district handed out pink slips to its temporarily contracted teaching staff and physical education teachers.
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In addition, school districts must have a budget in place by June 30. As Craig Cheslog, principal advisor to state superintendent of public instruction Tom Torlakson, stated “even in a recession, we can’t afford to shortchange our children while the adults get their act together.”
More on PTA Advocacy Day and the good news, innovations and reform in upcoming Lamorinda Patch coverage.
