School officials throughout Santa Cruz are skeptical of Gov. Schwarzenegger’s pledge in his State of the State address that education funding will not be touched as the state struggles with a $20 billion deficit.
According to Gary Bloom, Santa Cruz City Schools Superintendent, “Until there is an adopted state budget, it’s hard for us to know what lies in store. We continue to expect additional reductions.” This was echoed by Barry Kirschen, head of the Greater Santa Cruz Federation of Teachers: “It would seem impossible to leave education untouched unless you decimate health and welfare, and that has an impact on education as well.”
Judy McGooden, President of the Santa Cruz County School Boards Association, said that school officials are still having difficulties making the cuts approved in last year’s budget. As for the Governor’s promise, she says: “I don’t believe a word of it. I’m still expecting midyear cuts.” Read more at the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
