State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell comments on special election results

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell* commented on the failure of the propositions in today's special election.

"Californians soundly rejected five out of the six statewide propositions on today's ballot. As a result, California's budget economic shortfall is deeper by billions of dollars. In anticipation of this outcome, Governor Schwarzenegger presented a May Budget revision that closes the shortfall with breathtaking cuts to all public services, including education. His plan calls for $1.4 billion in cuts to schools this year and $3.3 billion the next.

"This, however, is a starting point for budget negotiations. We must find a budget solution that protects our top priority: our students, who are the future of our state.

"If we don't, without question, the impact of these cuts will be immediate. Class sizes will increase. Fewer of the 27,886 teachers who received pink slips will be retained, and many districts will strongly consider using a second window for issuing even more layoff notices to teachers. The ratio of students to school counselors, school nurses, and librarians will widen further. Art, music, and career technical education programs will be slashed to a bare-bones minimum, if they even survive.

"Cuts of this magnitude would seriously threaten to stop the rise in student achievement we've seen over the last seven years, and they will undoubtedly hinder the work we've been doing to close California's persistent achievement gap.

"I realize there are tough decisions ahead for the Governor and the Legislature, but students cannot be the scapegoat for California's fiscal mess. Education is the key to our state's long-term fiscal health. Given the economic crisis we face and the gridlock we continually face in Sacramento, we must consider new ideas and be open to new ways of thinking. I have called for a majority vote budget, which will end budget standoffs and increase accountability for budget decisions. I also support SCA 6 by Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which will make it easier for local communities to pass parcel taxes for local schools. I urge policymakers to consider these and any other ideas and proposals put on the table so that out of crisis we can make needed changes to our broken budgeting system. The future of our students and of California now hangs in the balance."