Budget cuts domino effect
I know this story isn't out of City Hall, but reporter Amanda Baumfeld did a great piece on the trickle effect of massive estimated budget cuts at the state level. School districts in the Valley - and all across the state - will be hit hard if billions are cut to make up for the state's $8 billion deficit. And I assure you local city governments are bracing themselves too.
I'm a little confused about what budget cuts the educrats are referring to, since state spending has increased year-to-year for quite some time now--and that obviously includes the mandated Proposition 98 "floor" for K-12 funding.
Further, I would venture to guess that during the flush years the Proposition 98 minimums were ignored, and state K-12 spending went well above those minimums, which, ironically only served to push the "floor" that much higher each fiscal year.
You might want to take a look at the per pupil spending by state. You'll find California ranking 48th. After this year, its likely California will be dead last. THATs what the "educrats" are talking about.
DSW: First, I'm flattered by your pen name; what's the old saying about imitation?
Regarding your thoughts about per-pupil spending (PPS), there are probably a dozen reports a year issued by various entities about PPS among the 50 states. Each is usually very subjective, so your reference to one certainly didn't send me reaching for my wallet with tears in my eyes.
I was referring to limited state resources, and the fact that in Proposition 98 we have an ever-growing line item for K-12 spending. At best, Proposition 98 is a recipe for fiscal insanity.