Fear Of Failure Growing In California's Schools
SAN FRANCISCO -- -- Thursday's "Day of Action" across California demanded that the government stop slashing education budgets.Posted: 10:25 pm PST March 5,2010Updated: 12:10 am PST March 6,2010
The cuts made already are blamed for pushing California's once-esteemed education system to the bottom ranks of all states.
San Francisco's school district is sending 900 employees pink slips this month, and almost half of them are teachers.
At International Studies Academy, more than one-third of the staff are on the 'to go' list and ten of them are teachers.
"I don't know how we're going to be able to absorb that kind of hit," said Matt Livingston, the principal of International Studies Academy.
Livingston added he's had a lot of sleepless nights thinking about larger class sizes and fewer resources for his 500 sixth to twelfth graders.
"That's going to be a combination of teachers, counselors, possibly more. We're going to feel it," said Livingston.
Third year teacher Chris Cary said he took a $25,000 dollar a year pay cut to become a teacher and sees the old promise of a great California education being broken.
"If you don't invest in education what is the economy of this state gong to look like in ten, 15 years when those kids become the prime productive earners of the California economy," said Cary.
More than 40 percent of the state's general fund budget goes to kindergarten through 12 schools. Add colleges and universities and the figure reaches 52 per cent.
But Sacramento cut general fund spending on the total budget by $20 billion in the past year.
San Francisco School Superintendent Carlos Garcia said K-through-12 schools took the biggest hit.
San Francisco's school district is sending 900 employees pink slips this month, and almost half of them are teachers.
At International Studies Academy, more than one-third of the staff are on the 'to go' list and ten of them are teachers.
"I don't know how we're going to be able to absorb that kind of hit," said Matt Livingston, the principal of International Studies Academy.
Livingston added he's had a lot of sleepless nights thinking about larger class sizes and fewer resources for his 500 sixth to twelfth graders.
"That's going to be a combination of teachers, counselors, possibly more. We're going to feel it," said Livingston.
Third year teacher Chris Cary said he took a $25,000 dollar a year pay cut to become a teacher and sees the old promise of a great California education being broken.
"If you don't invest in education what is the economy of this state gong to look like in ten, 15 years when those kids become the prime productive earners of the California economy," said Cary.
More than 40 percent of the state's general fund budget goes to kindergarten through 12 schools. Add colleges and universities and the figure reaches 52 per cent.
But Sacramento cut general fund spending on the total budget by $20 billion in the past year.
San Francisco School Superintendent Carlos Garcia said K-through-12 schools took the biggest hit.
