County Issue Cutbacks in Education :...

Taj R. James, Ventura High School student body president

That’s a real tough issue. Our district has been fortunate in that we haven’t had to cut many major programs, other than driver training. It has been hard for the students because you have to have this class in order to get your driver’s license, and now you have to pay for it. Students who can’t afford it are deprived of the right to drive. We’ve cut transportation programs. Students had to pay a transportation fee of $40 for sports to get to the games or events. Last year, it changed to $40 for each sport. These programs are so important it is hard to cut any without diminishing the quality of education. And it is sad when we’re trying to improve the quality of education that we’re having to cut more programs. I think it is real unfortunate to see, on a state level, the lack of priority education is given by our governor with his budget. It’s kind of sending a message that education isn’t important.

Robert S. Gonzales, Parent and board member, Santa Paula Elementary School District

No programs should be reduced or eliminated. It’s a shame we can’t provide for our kids the educational programs they so much need to make them better in years to come. I put a lot of blame on the state. If the state handled their monies differently, this wouldn’t be a problem. The facade they had with the lottery money is appalling to me. They tell you you’re going to get Lotto money, but then they cut the general funds back. It’s not fair. We’ve cut back on maintenance. We’re working our people harder now with skeletal crews. We’re trying to make cuts as far away from students as possible. We didn’t hire a clerk’s position and we have not replaced our purchasing agent because of cuts. Most of the board members feel if we’re going to make cuts at school sites, the district office ought to have cuts too. We’ve got to do more than just address the problem; we’ve got to solve the problem. If we look forward to another 10 years of decline, it will be awful.

Ina Lea Parker, Teacher and president, Pleasant Valley Educators Assn.

What about cutting some of the perks to the administration, like conference funds? Almost every cut they’re proposing in our district has a direct relationship to the children. None of the cuts have to do with those people up at the district office. I do feel sorry for the administration and anyone who has to continually look behind their backs for money. It is a constant battle. And yet there is enough money to blow up Iraq! I saw a cartoon that said it well. We have smart bombs to blow up Iraq. Why aren’t our kids as smart as the bombs? someone asks. Well, when you spend as much money on kids as bombs, you’ll have smart kids. Somehow they’re going to have to find a way of financing schools. I think we need a mass demonstration all over California with every teacher and all the parents participating.

Robert W. Purvis, Superintendent, Simi Valley Unified School District

The programs that should be reduced or eliminated should be those programs furthest from the student and teacher in the classroom, if at all. It is possible we wouldn’t take any measures to increase an already large class size in Simi Valley. It is important to remember in a people-intensive business, budget cuts are almost impossible. We’ll probably reduce the costs of our fringe benefits program, and money may not be available for salary increases. At the present time, we’re uncertain of the budget for 1991 and ’92 because we’re still analyzing the data and waiting for final action on the part of the governor and the state Legislature. I think what will happen is simply uncertain at this time. But you might consider that since 85% of most school district budgets are wrapped up in employee salaries and fringe benefits, to save money, the action you need to take will probably impact salaries and benefits.

Bedford Pinkard, Board member, Oxnard Union High School District

The Oxnard district is not suffering some of the same crises at this time. We went through this 10 years ago, and it forced us to do some innovative planning with stretching the budget. We eliminated some teaching positions through attrition. We had restrictions on extracurricular travel for students. We limited extracurricular activities and increased class size to make up for some of the budget deficit. We didn’t cut out athletics, but we used to provide towels years and years ago, and we cut that out. I think the quality of education suffered because of those cutbacks. Teachers get upset and fear losing their jobs, and it affects the students. The sad thing in the state of California, as far as the money we spend per student, is that it is the equivalent to some of the Southern states. It is so sad that we have to go through these things. It says something about our leadership in this state.