Proposition 76 cuts education funding at a time when California
schools rank 44th in the nation in per-pupil spending. In addition,
it does even more damage to our schools by overturning
voter-approved Proposition 98
– eliminating the funding guarantee for education – which will
lead to more overcrowded schools, teacher layoffs and fewer
textbooks and classroom materials.
Editor,
Proposition 76 cuts education funding at a time when California schools rank 44th in the nation in per-pupil spending. In addition, it does even more damage to our schools by overturning voter-approved Proposition 98 – eliminating the funding guarantee for education – which will lead to more overcrowded schools, teacher layoffs and fewer textbooks and classroom materials.
When he was elected governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger promised to protect education funding and voter approved Prop. 98. Early in his administration, educators stood with him to announce an agreement that would have set a course toward adequate funding for public education. We were hopeful that together we would reverse years of underfunding and by working together that resources in public schools might soon match the high expectations we have set for our students and ourselves.
As a professional educator, it is my job to keep the promise of a better future within every student’s reach. Proposition 76 ignores this promise, it unfairly punishes schools and students, and it undermines the education funding protections voters say they want. Proposition 76 would destroy any chance to close the dramatic gap between expectations and inadequate funding. Vote no on Proposition 76.
Peter Gutierrez, Hollister, Association of California School Administrators, Region 10 Board Representativ
