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Op Ed from Carla Nino, president, California State PTA
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What message are we sending California's children? Carla Niño May 26, 2005 We teach our children by example. When we keep our word, they notice. When we fail to do what we said we would, children learn that breaking promises is acceptable. What then are they learning from the current budget battle over education funding? Keep your word, Governor. Promises matter. The Governor's proposed budget breaks the promise he made to pay back our schools the two billion dollars he took from them last year. He promised to pay back our schools the funds owed to them as part of last year's budget agreement.Governor, you said you needed to borrow money from schools to balance the budget. You promised to give schools their share of any additional revenue this year. Stand by your promise, Governor. The proposed budget is far below adequate to educate California's 6.8 million public school students. The Governor claims his budget is generous, however, the fact is it would send nearly every school district into a deficit. That means more program cuts, fewer teachers, fewer textbooks, fewer libraries, and fewer learning resources. In the end, it means millions of California children unprepared for the demands of a global economy. Our schools have been woefully under-funded for years. This budget adds more than insult to injury. It adds injury to injury. California students receive a substandard education. Once the envy of the nation, California public schools now rank near the bottom in almost every measurement of education. When California ranked near the top in student achievement more money per student was allocated. Certainly, this is not coincidence. It is clear that the future of California, the quality of its culture, and the vibrancy of its economy hinge directly upon our state's commitment to provide our children an excellent education in superior public schools. And yet, the Governor expects our students to do more with less. Proposition 98 (the Constitutional funding minimum for schools) is the best protection students have against getting shortchanged by Sacramento politics. Adopted by California's voters, Proposition 98 affirms that schools are the FIRST budget priority for the state. We cannot afford to give less than this minimum guarantee. Proposition 98 guarantees must not be ignored. The California State PTA is the largest volunteer organization in the state, with over one million members with one special interest -- advocating for the best interests for the children of California. Governor, during the nearly two years of my term as PTA president and your term as Governor, you did not respond to our multiple requests to meet with you. On April 28, 2005, PTA delegates from throughout the state met just a block from your Sacramento office. You were invited to address the delegates in an attempt to begin a meaningful discussion with you about improving the quality of our children's education. Instead, a form letter stating, "...best wishes for meaningful discussion as (PTA) develops innovative ideas for improving education and expanding opportunities in our Golden State" was sent. We do not understand how you can find the time to make political fundraising trips to Texas, New York and other states, yet fail to meet personally with the California State PTA. Governor, it's time to have that meaningful discussion about the state government's highest priority: educating our children. Let's develop innovative ideas for improving education and expanding opportunities in our Golden State. Let's truly make education our top budget priority and develop a plan whereby California will rank once again among the top ten states in student achievement and per pupil funding by the year 2015. Governor, let's teach by example. You can still do it. Carla Niño California State PTA 930 Georgia Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 (W) 818-947-4051 (cell) 213-494-7251 |