Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/2861
¡Sí Se Puede! ¿Por Qué No? B Y C TA P R E S I D E N T D A V I D A. S A N C H E Z fornia. The upcoming special election on May 19 will decide the fate of our schools and whether or not Props. 1A-1F will be approved by Californians. It is clear that all these mea- sures are inextricably tied together. If we don’t pass them all, the result will be a $23 billion revenue hole, which can only result in deeper cuts to education, children’s health care, public safety, and programs for seniors and the dis- abled — programs we all care about. As you know, the state budget approved by O lawmakers cuts more than $11.6 billion from our public schools and colleges. In March, more than 27,000 pink slips were mailed to teachers, coun- selors, librarians and nurses. And that doesn’t in- clude the cafeteria workers, school safety person- nel, custodians and bus drivers who can be let go at any time and still face layoffs. And it can get worse if the initiatives don’t pass. We did an amazing job of coming together at our Pink Friday events on March 13. Our rallies — staged all across the state — went a long way in spotlighting the issues that educators and our students face. Community members everywhere heard our voices and joined us in standing up for schools. They know that these budget cuts have been devastating to our students, our mem- bers and our schools. They’ve heard the stories we told, both at our Pink Friday events and on our event website. And members continue to bring awareness to the budget issue at www. standupforschools.org, giving real-life accounts of the devastation — art, music, career technical education and physical education programs eliminated; districts shutting down libraries; classroom sizes on the verge of exploding. We know that the people of California care, and now we must let them know that voting yes on Props. 1A-1F is the way to Stand Up For Schools. CTA is recommending that you support ¿Por Qué No? nce again we find ourselves on the precipice of an enormously pivotal moment for public education in Cali- Propositions 1A-1F in the May 19 special elec- tion. It is crucial that we get out the word to en- courage colleagues, friends and family members to vote yes on Props. 1A-1F. These initiatives will begin to repay our schools and colleges some of the money that was cut and what is owed to edu- cation under law. It will allow local districts to keep smaller class sizes, rehire educators who’ve been laid off, restore art, music and physical edu- cation classes and buy up-to-date textbooks. Share the voter guide that we’ve provided in this issue (see page 24) and pass it around to friends and family members who support education and will turn out for the vote. With only four weeks to go, this election will be about who gets out to vote. The future of our state depends on the in- vestment we make in our public schools. Our economic recovery and stability depend on a well-educated workforce. High-quality public education unquestionably leads to more pros- perous, productive and healthy communities. It may just be symbolic that the special election that will decide the fate of California schools comes in May — the month when we celebrate Day of the Teacher and Education Support Professional Day — and that the deadline for final layoffs is set for May 15. Let’s change California for the better in May. Let’s be the catalyst for change in government this special election. Let’s help turn our state around by investing in its future. Continue to use www.standupforschools.org as a resource to get the word out about how im- portant this election is. There are 9 million stu- dents in California, and 9 million reasons to vote YES on Props. 1A-1F. I’m personally vot- ing YES because I’m tired of our schools rank- ing 47th in per-pupil funding while living in the eighth-largest economy in the world. What’s your reason? EDITOR IN CHIEF Dave Earl Carpenter STAFF WRITER Sherry Posnick-Goodwin CTA WEB EDITOR Karyn Ferrera Donhoff CTA WEB EDITOR Tiffany Hasker EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Craig Hamilton CTA ELECTED OFFICERS PRESIDENT David A. Sanchez VICE PRESIDENT Dean E. Vogel SECRETARY-TREASURER Daniel R. Vaughn BOARD OF DIRECTORS Larry Allen, Donald L. Bridge, Michael Bustos, Tyrone V. Cabell, Mikki Cichocki, Dayton Crummey, Don Dawson, Dana Dillon, Jim Groth, Dián Dolores Hasson, Eric C. Heins, Lynette P. Henley, Mignon W. Jackson, Marty G. Meeden, George Melendez, Mary Rose Ortega, Cynthia Peña, Lloyd N. Porter, Jim Rogers, Bonnie Shatun, Michael Stone EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Carolyn Doggett ASSOCIATE EXEC. DIRECTOR Rebecca Zoglman COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Jonathan Goldman CONTRIBUTORS Scott Buschman, Len Feldman, Bill Guy, Dina Martin, Mike Myslinski, Kamran Nasser, Rowena Russo, Frank Wells EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Heidi Swenson Chipman, chair; Misao Brown, William G. Clark, Michael Downey, Maggie Ellis, Charmaine Kawaguchi, KC Walsh; Larry Allen (Board liaison) EDITORIAL INFORMATION California Educator is published for the information and edification of its members. The editorial philoso- phy is governed by the policies of CTA. Articles and advertising reflect that philosophy. Letters to the editor may be sent to editor@cta.org. Publication of advertising in the California Educa- tor does not indicate CTA approval of the product or of the companies that purchase advertising. Advertising rate card and information is available from WebSolutions, Media Division, 5666 Spruce Harbor Court, Las Vegas, NV 89122 (702) 838-3434; FAX (702) 838-3355 Membership dues in CTA/NEA are $757/year for the fiscal year, Sept. 1-Aug. 31. Up to $17.57 of CTA annual dues is designated for CTA/ABC political activ ities to support state and local candidates and/or initiatives and is not deductible for income tax purposes. Subscription to the California Educator is $10/year, available only to persons or institutions not eligible for CTA/NEA membership. California Educator (ISSN 1091-6148) is published monthly except January, July and August for $6.47 per year (included in dues) by: CALIFORNIA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION 1705 Murchison Dr., Burlingame, CA 94010-4583 (650) 697-1400; FAX (650) 552-5002 editor@cta.org, www.cta.org Postmaster: Send change of address to California Educator, P.O. Box 4178, Burlingame, CA 94011-4178. ¡Sí Se Puede! [It can be done! Why not?], words inspired by César Chávez, encourage us to remember that, together, we can achieve great things. Periodicals Postage Paid at Burlingame, CA, and additional mailing offices. 4 California Educator | APRIL 2009