“ENOUGH”

To the Parents of Our Students and Our Partners in Education:

On Monday, August 23, 2010, the State of California announced that the funding due our schools for the month of September (yes, just a few days from now) from the State was being postponed until October. This means that $6,715,781 on which Marin County public schools were depending to meet their financial obligations will not be forthcoming for at least 30 days. Some of our districts are more affected than others, but all of our districts will have some impact (for example, the Novato Unified School District will not be receiving $3,421,916). These are funds owed by law and upon which districts depend to pay their bills. This is a situation much like that which would be experienced by many families if the expected paycheck were to be postponed for a month. The expenses for the house payment, power bill, phone bill, charge card statement, food, clothing, etc., would go on. For schools, the expenses also continue for books, paper, facilities, buses, equipment and other costs, not to mention paying our teachers, custodians, school secretaries, classroom aides and other staff.

As you know, schools across California have had their financial resources reduced from the state by $17 billion over the past three years. In Marin County, our schools have lost $54 million dollars. Because school budgets have to be balanced for the current year and the next two years with a legally required reserve, many cuts have been made. Now, with this latest news, some districts will have to make a choice: borrow private funds and pay interest to insure fiscal stability until the deferred state funds are paid or risk being delinquent. The cost of borrowing only reduces the amount of funding available to educate our students.

The State of California has now been without a budget for almost 60 days. Schools which do the important work of preparing our children for life and counties who serve the most vulnerable in our communities are facing further reduction in services. Families and the elderly and sick who receive support from state programs may, instead, receive IOU’s from the State Treasurer’s Office because the Legislature and the Governor have failed to meet their sworn duty to uphold the State Constitution that requires passage of a budget by June 30th of each year.

All of us have tried to work with the State, recognizing the economic conditions in the nation and in the world. We have made reductions. Our parents and community residents have voted to provide parcel taxes for specific purposes and programs. Businesses and local residents support school district foundations. But, this latest shift of the state’s cash management problems to the schools and counties is unacceptable. Our children are being asked to carry even more of a burden because of the inability of the elected leaders in Sacramento to fulfill their responsibilities.

It is time for residents of California to rise up with one voice and say, “Enough.” It is time for political games to end and for ideological gridlock to cease. Every one of us who lives in California and cares about our state must make our voices heard. California is near the bottom or at the bottom of the 50 states by every measure of what is best for kids. It is tragic that our leaders have become so disconnected that they are not even embarrassed any more by being 50th. We need to embarrass them.

To find out where to call or write or email our elected representatives go to http://saveourschools.marinschools.org/TakeAction.htm.

Please join in the chorus of saying “ENOUGH.”

Mary Jane Burke: Marin County Superintendent of Schools