Legislative Update

For up-to-date Legislative updates, contact mimirose8@hotmail.com to join the Crown Valley PTA Legislative Listserve.

How the State Budget Affects Education

The final budget agreement identifies the following major reductions in educational funding. These figures are statewide reductions, not district wide reductions.

• $7.4 billion (12.7 percent) lower than the level assumed by the original 2008-09 Budget.
• Reduces 2009-10 funding by $3.7 billion (6.3 percent) for K-14 programs.
• Eliminates $100 million in funding for school facility emergency repairs in 2009-10.
• Reduces funding for categorical programs* by approximately 15 percent "across the board." The cuts would NOT apply to Special Education, Economic Impact Aid, K-3 CLASS SIZE REDUCTION, school lunch programs, the After School Education and Safety Program, the Quality Education Investment Act, Child Development Programs, and Home-to-School Transportation.
• — Authorizes the transfer of funding among many categorical programs that are cut. This allows the district more flexibility of funds that used to be restricted to specific programs.
• — Diverts state and county First 5** funds to support state health and human services programs for children. This fund shift would require voter approval.

* Categorical funds are funds that are required to be spent on specific programs, i.e. there are strings attached.

**First Five is an educational early intervention program for at risk pre-schoolers.

Here is what the State PTA had to say about these cuts to education:

"These cuts are almost certainly going to drive California—already a dismal 47th—to the bottom among all states in per-pupil spending. That means cutting teachers, arts, classroom materials, counselors, nurses, small class sizes, and much more that children need to succeed in school and life.

"California cannot afford to go backward in its commitment to children and students, especially in challenging economic times.

"In the coming weeks, we will continue to analyze the details of the budget package, including several statewide initiatives that will be placed on the May 19 ballot as part of the budget deal.

"And California State PTA will continue to advocate for legislators and the Governor to develop a farsighted budget plan and process—a plan with vision, a plan that is a reflection of the hopes and dreams of the next generation, and a plan that is truly focused on the future of our state."

Special Education Update

There are two new items that are included in the new State Budget that might affect Special Ed Students:

1. The budget cuts Regional Center service provider payments by 3 percent, beginning on February 1, 2009, and by 7.1 percent, beginning on September 1, 2009. The latter cut would take effect only if the state does not enact—by September 1, 2009—Regional Center cost-containment measures that achieve General Fund savings of $100 million in 2009-10.

2.Children on SSI will not receive a cost of living increase this year or next year.

Our district is currently working on how they will deal with these cuts.