SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today issued the following statement regarding a budget proposal passed today by the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education:

"I commend the Senate Leadership and members of the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education for approving a budget that prioritizes public education by rejecting the proposed across-the-board cuts to most categorical programs and including funding for a cost-of-living increase. In light of the magnitude of California's budget crisis, I applaud the Senate's efforts to protect funding for core instructional programs in our public schools.  

"I am pleased by the Senate Subcommittee's action to develop an innovative program that combines our goals of growing the ‘green economy' and expanding the  highly successful California Partnership Academy program. As this concept is considered through the legislative process, I look forward to working with members of the Budget Committee, the California Community Colleges, and the Governor to further develop the parameters of this project.

"As the Senate and Assembly budget proposals go to the Budget Conference Committee, the challenge ahead is to complete a timely, fair, and reasonable budget that continues to keep education as a priority and allows schools to maintain critical services as well as plan for the upcoming school year.

"I will continue to work with the Legislature and the Governor toward a final budget agreement that protects California public school students and schools."