Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Issues Statement
in Support of School Funding Lawsuit Filed Today
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today issued the following statement in support of a lawsuit (Robles-Wong, et al. v. California , Outside Source) filed against the State of California by students, districts, school boards, and school administrators:
"California students are the victims of broken budget promises and a broken school funding system. I applaud this effort to align appropriate funding for our public education with our goal of educating students to master our rigorous academic standards. Budget discussions about schools in California have for too long been a one-sided conversation about how to stretch dwindling resources. This lawsuit now forces a conversation we must have about actually meeting the needs of our students.
"According to the Legislative Analyst's recent analysis (Outside Source) on per capita real general fund spending in the Governor's proposed May budget revision, 'the level of spending proposed by the administration would continue the recent drop in state spending, as adjusted for growth in population and inflation. In 2010–11, the inflation adjusted per capita spending level would be similar to that of 1993–94 — also a low point due to a recession.'
"California is failing to fund programs and resources students need to thrive and compete in a competitive global economy. Class sizes are growing. Summer school, arts, music, librarians, nurses, and counselors, have been cut. The school year at many districts has been reduced. For years, our teachers, administrators, and especially our students have been doing more with less. A growing number of California districts face financial insolvency, and California finds itself near the bottom nationally in per pupil funding.
"A well educated population is the key to California's successful future. We urgently need to prioritize this responsibility to our students and future generations. If the political will to protect our future is faltering, perhaps this lawsuit and the courts will be the catalyst to meet our obligation to the more than six million students in our state."
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