Forum discusses impacts of budget cuts
Education, diversity threatened
Semaj D. La Niger
Issue date: 5/8/08 Last update: 5/8/08 at 1:52 PM PST
Section: News
The governor's proposed budget cuts will ruin the future for thousands of students, drive many youth into the rising prison economy, and are bad for California in the long term, according to panelists at a recent education forum in Alameda.
High school and community college students and K-12 and community college administrators gathered at the Alameda Main Library May 5 to discuss "Budget shortfalls and its' impact on a diverse educational community."
"I think public education in this country is in big trouble," said Alameda Unified School District Superintendent Ardella Dailey. "It's in jeopardy and it is the foundation of our democracy."
The Alameda district's Board of Trustees recently voted to put an emergency parcel tax measure on the ballot for the June 3 primary election following a projected $4.5 million funding cut. Proposed cuts include eliminating music programs in elementary schools, laying off counselors and eliminating all high school sports. Last year, due to shortfalls, all middle school athletics were cut.
"For the last seven years, due to declining enrollment, we've been dealing with budget cuts," Dailey said.
College of Alameda (COA) Vice-President of Student Services Dr. Kerry Compton gave an overview of the proposed cuts' effects on the Peralta Colleges and particularly COA.
"Five years ago we went through a similar process," said Compton, who indicated that adjunct faculty positions would likely be eliminated resulting in less course offerings. Peralta has already reduced summer school offerings in response to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's 10 percent across the board cuts.
There will be "reductions in student services; counseling, financial aid, tutoring, admissions," of the proposed cuts said Compton. "Things students need to make it."
"I don't think the May revision will bring much hope," said Compton of the "May revise," when the Governor will submit a revised budget to the Legislature.
High school and community college students and K-12 and community college administrators gathered at the Alameda Main Library May 5 to discuss "Budget shortfalls and its' impact on a diverse educational community."
"I think public education in this country is in big trouble," said Alameda Unified School District Superintendent Ardella Dailey. "It's in jeopardy and it is the foundation of our democracy."
The Alameda district's Board of Trustees recently voted to put an emergency parcel tax measure on the ballot for the June 3 primary election following a projected $4.5 million funding cut. Proposed cuts include eliminating music programs in elementary schools, laying off counselors and eliminating all high school sports. Last year, due to shortfalls, all middle school athletics were cut.
"For the last seven years, due to declining enrollment, we've been dealing with budget cuts," Dailey said.
College of Alameda (COA) Vice-President of Student Services Dr. Kerry Compton gave an overview of the proposed cuts' effects on the Peralta Colleges and particularly COA.
"Five years ago we went through a similar process," said Compton, who indicated that adjunct faculty positions would likely be eliminated resulting in less course offerings. Peralta has already reduced summer school offerings in response to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's 10 percent across the board cuts.
There will be "reductions in student services; counseling, financial aid, tutoring, admissions," of the proposed cuts said Compton. "Things students need to make it."
"I don't think the May revision will bring much hope," said Compton of the "May revise," when the Governor will submit a revised budget to the Legislature.
Be the first to comment on this story