OAKLAND, CA –(January 10, 2011) Dr. Arun Ramanathan, executive director of The EdTrust—West, issued the following statement regarding the release of Governor Brown’s proposed budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year:

“The proposed budget by Governor Brown identifies painful cuts in education. These could be worse without legislative action and public approval of a potential proposition to extend tax increases – both of which have been difficult to secure in the past.”

“We are deeply concerned about the cuts to education and the potential for deeper cuts. Over the past three years, our state’s budget has been balanced on the backs of our children.  These cuts have disproportionally impacted students of color and students in poverty by increasing class sizes, cutting summer school and eliminating intervention programs that support student learning in districts across California.  For far too long, our education decisions have been made based on adult interests, not the needs of students.”

“As in previous budget cycles, school districts, which are always reacting to Sacramento, will make cuts as if they do not have the dollars from proposed ballot initiatives. This means more seniority-based layoffs and cuts to student services.”

“As the case is being made for the extension of tax increases, the public deserves to know whether or not we are being smart with our scarce resources through increased transparency and accountability. The public also deserves to know that our few, valuable dollars are tied to the educational reforms that work on behalf of students.”

“Governor Brown has released a historic budget and asked for sacrifices across the board.  The public deserves to know that any additional state revenues raised through taxes are being used at the local level to benefit students. We hope the Governor will make an explicit commitment to tying any requests for dollars to educational reforms that work on behalf of students and the future of California’s teaching corps, such as the elimination of seniority-based layoff laws.”

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 About The EdTrust—West

The EdTrust—West works for the high academic achievement of all students at all levels, kindergarten through college, and to forever close the achievement gaps separating low-income students and students of color from other youth. Our basic tenet is this— All children will learn at high levels when they are taught to high levels.