Dear Friend,
California is facing the biggest economic crisis in our state’s history. With a deficit forecast at nearly $25 billion, there’s no question that the Governor and Legislature need to make some hard choices.
I’m not a politician, but I am an educator with more than 30 years of experience in California’s schools. And I know that there’s one thing we absolutely cannot do: Balance California’s budget on the backs of our teachers, our students, and their families.
The Governor and legislature are failing our students with these cuts – and we need to make sure they get the message.
In Governor Schwarzenegger’s latest budget, he proposes cutting more than $8 billion from California’s education system. $8 billion!
Don’t be fooled. These are not short-term cuts. These are not 1-year cuts. They are 12- year cuts. The kindergartner who starts next year under these cuts will feel the effects throughout her 12 years of education in the public schools.
These drastic cuts would be a disaster for California’s kids – and we can’t let it happen.
California’s schools have struggled for decades with inadequate and inequitable funding. Our schools have the highest academic standards in the nation, but the lowest levels of school funding.
And now, Governor Schwarzenegger and our elected leaders in Sacramento are talking about slashing that funding even further. Education makes up 40% of the state budget, but it’s targeted for 60% of the cuts.
It’s true: California is facing tough times. But education is key to our state’s economic growth in the years ahead. We can’t make things even worse for California by cutting billions of dollars from our public schools.
Sign my petition now – and tell Governor Schwarzenegger and our legislators to stop the education cuts!
California's 6.2 million students deserve a world-class education – even during a time of economic crisis.
That’s why I’m running for Superintendent of Public Instruction. As a former teacher, principal, and superintendent, I will put my 32 years of experience to work, bringing new and aggressive leadership to the State Superintendent's office in order to protect California's public schools and improve academic achievement for all our students.
Together, we can make that a reality. Thanks for your help.
Sincerely,
Larry Aceves
Candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction
P.S. Governor Schwarzenegger and the Legislature will be hammering out California’s new budget in a matter of days – so now is the time to speak out. Sign my petition now – and tell Governor Schwarzenegger and our legislators to stop the education cuts!
This is an important part of the budget debate. Schools can’t take the brunt of the cuts.