State Fiscal Budget Crisis

Superintendent A. Woodrow Carter We continue to receive bleak information from Sacramento regarding the state’s economy. We are awaiting the Governor’s May Revise, and we have no reason to believe that there will be any improvements to the projected 2008-09 budget. If anything, we are anticipating that conditions have gotten worse, not better, than what was reflected in the budget released by the Governor in January.

I have seen the press release from the Republican Party, which is the minority party in both houses, acknowledging the severity of the proposed cuts to Education and proposing reductions that would be less devastating. Your elected officials are hearing your voices!

However, I continue to have grave concerns about the state budget crisis and the upcoming school year here in Capistrano Unified. I heard from Assemblyman Todd Spitzer on Friday that he doesn’t expect a state budget until October. Even if the state legislature and governor are able to reinstate some of the $28 million in funding that CUSD is projected to lose in 2008-09, it will be too late to rehire teachers and restore our 20 to 1 classrooms in September or October.

If we want to protect education as we have known it in Capistrano Unified we need action now. I applaud the advocacy efforts of the PTA and I support the fundraising campaign undertaken by the Foundation. Together we can make a difference.

I will continue to keep you informed on our progress toward finding solutions to this dire state budget crisis.

Fiscal Crisis