SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today issued the following statement in response to the release of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed January budget [http://www.gov.ca.gov/index.php?/speech/11350/] (Outside Source).

"Many families in California are already reeling from the national economic crisis. The cuts to schools and state services proposed in the Governor's budget will exacerbate the challenges faced by families in these tough economic times.  

"I recognize that the magnitude of our state's economic crisis leaves the Governor and the Legislature with very few choices to balance our state budget. I applaud the Governor for calling for new revenues to be part of the solution to the budget shortfall. While cuts may have to be part of this equation, we have to recognize the real world consequences of these drastic steps.

"The Governor's proposal to reduce current year funding to public education by over $6 billion will be extremely difficult for school districts to absorb. I am particularly concerned about the proposal to defer $2.8 billion in payments due early in 2009 to the next fiscal year. This will create a cash flow crisis for school districts.

"I also worry about the impact that the cuts and the proposal to reduce the school year by five days will have on students and learning. Steady increases in achievement data show that students are rising to the challenge of our high expectations. But, offering less time in school runs contrary to our goal of closing the achievement gap and increasing proficiency for every student.

"Finally, while flexibility should never be regarded as a replacement for needed funding, I have heard from many school district superintendents in California that added flexibility is an important tool that will help them weather this fiscal crisis. Discretion over added flexibility must be considered carefully and I will work with the education community, the Governor and the Legislature to flesh this concept out in a way that protects students to the maximum extent possible."