LOS ANGELES — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell issued the following statement regarding Governor Schwarzenegger's revised budget:

"I am deeply disappointed that the Governor has missed this opportunity to make good on his promise to California students. He claims his revised budget includes $509 million more than what the law requires, but in fact, it does not provide a single additional dollar in ongoing Proposition 98 funding for schools in California above his January proposal. His promise to repay our schools the loan of almost $4 billion remains broken. His claim of additional school funding is at best misleading.

"The Governor's budget forces schools to continue their struggle to educate California's students with funding that is lower than 42 other states. Coupled with his so-called 'Live Within our Means Act,' California schools are at risk of falling even more shamefully behind.

"The Governor is not listening to the people of California. In poll after poll since the Governor released his January budget proposal, the people of California have overwhelmingly and consistently supported additional funding for education.

"Instead of listening to the people, the Governor is showing himself to be precisely the kind of politician he vowed to 'sweep' from Sacramento.

"California needs leadership that truly invests in our future. A piecemeal approach to funding our schools is woefully inadequate and fails our children. I hope the Governor and the Legislature will reach agreement on a budget that provides for meaningful investment in California 's most valuable asset — our children."