• Home »
• Newsroom »
• News Releases »
• Year 2008

SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell joined Dr. Terry Grier, San Diego Unified School District’s new superintendent, at a news conference Monday at Lincoln High School to discuss the impact of $4.8 billion in proposed cuts to education funding and the potential suspension of Proposition 98. Concern about the impact of these cuts to public education already has forced districts to issue approximately 24,000 notices of potential layoff to teachers and support staff statewide.

"School districts up and down this state are sending out pink slips to tens of thousands of hard-working, dedicated teachers, administrators, and school staff, not because our state faces a spending problem, but because we face a priorities problem," O’Connell said. "Over the past five years, California schools have been making steady gains in student achievement thanks to our high standards, effective reforms, and the dedication and passion of these same educators. Today, this progress and the future of our students are in grave jeopardy."

"California is the eighth largest economy in the world and yet in education funding we rank only 46th in the country," Grier said.

Joining O’Connell and Grier at the news conference were Shelia Jackson, a member of the San Diego Unified School District Board, and Mel Collins, principal of Lincoln High School.

"The Governor’s budget fails to invest in our future. We should be encouraging the best and brightest to join the teaching ranks. We know that effective teachers are the number one element in student success. Sadly, the flood of pink slips being handed out only discourages people from entering the teacher profession," O’Connell said.

"While I understand the Governor and the Legislature have tough decisions to make, these cuts to public education impact the morale of our education professionals, will increase class sizes, and leave our schools with fewer resources just when we are asking more of them than ever before," he said. "These budget cuts ultimately are a direct hit on the quality of the education we offer our students."