The reality is that no matter how much we value public education, California is facing an unprecedented inability to fund it adequately. We know that education is not alone in this challenge. Almost every sector of our state's economy is impacted by the financial meltdown. Sadly, many of you have lost your jobs, and we are all watching as essential health and safety services are being scaled back in our communities.
School boards are making extremely difficult decisions and parents are beginning to understand that their local schools may look different in the future. Employees in many school districts have been asked to take furloughs, and negotiations regarding salary concessions and shortened school years have begun in some districts.