Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/2866
¡Sí S Puede! ¿Por Qué No? e 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 B Y C T A P R E S I D E N T D A V I D A . S A N C H E Z ing budget crisis that our state faces. It’s clear that the current budget process for funding public education in California is failing our schools, our members and the students we serve. It’s clear that lawmakers are unable to reach an agree- ment on raising the revenues needed to fund our schools. And it’s clear that we need stable and ongoing funding for education. California’s schools, colleges and the state A budget are in crisis. Despite the outstanding work of CTA members and staff, education spending has been cut by more than $3.5 bil- lion and unfortunately the governor and the Legislature show no signs of solving this state budget mess. Without additional revenues public education is looking at more than $8 bil- lion in cuts this school year. This staggering amount is the equivalent of reducing per-pupil spending by almost $1,200 or laying off 160,000 educators. And the Republican budget plan just gets worse – taking more than $10 billion from schools. In October, CTA’s top governing body, the State Council of Education, echoed this senti- ment passing a new business item directing CTA to immediately draft and submit to the at- torney general a proposed initiative to raise taxes to benefit schools and colleges that would be ready for a possible 2009 special election. In order to meet the deadline to qualify an initia- tive for that possible election, CTA filed an initiative in December with the secretary of state. How we move forward will be deter- mined by State Council in January. The proposed initiative, titled the “The Public School Investment and Accountability Act,” calls for a one-cent sales tax to improve classroom education in our K-12 schools and community colleges. The funds could be used only on programs and activities that directly ¿Por Qué No? s we bring this year to a close and head into the new year we find ourselves again looking for answers to the grow- benefit student instruction and learning such as reducing class size in all grades; increasing salaries for all certificated and classified staff, including early childhood employees; instruc- tional supplies and materials, including com- puters and technology; school safety; quality professional development; hiring additional counselors, librarians, nurses and other critical staff; and restoring art, music and career technical education classes. The initiative would raise $5-6 billion each year. To ensure the money gets to schools – even during tough economic times – the “Public School Investment and Accountability Act” prohibits the governor and Legislature from supplanting, cutting, delaying, borrowing or di- verting the funds. Annual, independent audits are required at both the state level and in local districts to ensure the funds go where they are meant to be. None of the money can be spent on administration. And it authorizes civil or criminal penalties for any misuse of funds. But I want you to know this is not the only action CTA is taking. CTA continues to strongly support increased funding for our CSU and UC campuses, as well as other struc- tural reforms, such as reducing the two-thirds vote requirement to pass the state budget. That initiative is also expected to be filed. In addi- tion, CTA has formed a member workgroup to promote progressive taxation in California. We know the state’s financial crisis is real and closing a $40 billion deficit will not be easy, but our public schools, students and members cannot continue down the current path of an “education recession.” We cannot continue trying to meet our students’ needs without the necessary resources. Let’s enter this new year with renewed vigor and energy, and continue our efforts to make positive change for public education. 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, Dave Crosland, Len Feldman, Mike Myslinski, Kamran Nasser, 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. 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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 | DECEMBER 2008 • JANUARY 2009