SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell issued the following statement regarding the release of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's May Budget Revision:

"The May Revision to the budget delivers on Governor Schwarzenegger's commitment to restore funding to schools. It will allow us to make good on the debts to schools created through the recent lean years and to make important new investments in public education.

"Although the budget process is far from over and we will likely differ on some of his budget priorities, I am happy to thank Governor Schwarzenegger for working with the education community to invest in public education."

"I am particularly pleased to see that the Governor has increased funding to expand remediation programs for students who are struggling to pass the California High School Exit Exam, and to pay for new summer and evening administrations of the Exam. I also applaud the increase in funding to expand and improve student nutrition programs giving more students the opportunity to make healthier food choices on campus. In addition, I am very happy to see additional funding for high school counselors. Our state currently has the lowest ratio of counselors to students in the nation. This is a statistic we need to improve upon."