Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/726969
W H E N S I E R R A V I S T A Elementary School in Vacaville opened its doors to students on Aug. 18, the entire community celebrated. Confetti was thrown. e media came out to take pictures. Tears were shed by staff and community members. ere was a rib- bon-cutting ceremony with speeches. e fanfare was because Sierra Vista had been closed for five years due to a lack of funding. After it was shuttered, students and their teachers were scattered to differ- ent schools throughout the district. Most believed that Sierra Vista's classrooms would never be filled with students again. Back in 2010, when the school district faced an $8.6 million shortfall, many things were put on the chopping block. Teachers were pink-slipped; programs were cut. But perhaps most devastating was the decision to close Sierra Vista in 2011. S om e w on d er i f it mi g ht h av e b e en avoided if Prop. 30 had passed just one year earlier. e ballot initiative, approved by voters in 2012, provided $31.2 billion to California's schools. e Vacaville Unified School District received $40.7 million in Prop. 30 funding between 2013 and 2015, according to the State Controller's Office. "Sierra Vista was closed in 2011, and Prop. 30 was passed in 2012," says Vacaville Reopened Vacaville school demonstrates need for stable funding By SHERRY POSNICK- GOODWIN Opening the Doors 28 cta.org MARCH 13, 2009 PINK FRIDAY Steep state budget cuts during and following the Great Recession have a devastating impact on public education. Art, music, athletic programs and more are cut; school libraries are shuttered; class sizes balloon; educators lose jobs. In 2009 alone, 28,478 RIF (reduction in force) notices are sent to Cal- ifornia teachers, counselors and administrators. On this statewide day of action, educators, students and communities across California protest the pink slips. "When an educator loses his or her job, the students are the ones who suffer most," says CTA President David A. Sanchez. Then and Now: Why We Can't Go Back 28 cta.org C A M P A I G N 2 0 1 6