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Students sound off on budget cuts

BY TARA MCLAUGHLIN, Californian staff writer
e-mail: tmclaughlin@bakersfield.com | Wednesday, Mar 26 2008 10:58 PM

Last Updated: Wednesday, Mar 26 2008 10:58 PM

Bigger class sizes, fewer advanced placement courses and cuts in fine arts topped the list of concerns Centennial High School seniors expressed to the state schools chief at a panel discussion Wednesday.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell is making rounds throughout California, talking with students about potential effects of the proposed $4.4 billion cut to education funding.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in January proposed 10 percent across-the-board cuts to close a $14.5 billion state budget gap. The Legislature is expected to make revisions to the budget in late summer or early fall.

But students are seeing the governor's proposal as a threat to high school for younger generations.

In smaller classrooms, students have a more personal relationship with teachers, Eliza Van Meter, 17, said. And students feel more comfortable asking questions and engaging in discussions.

Ashlyn Little, 18, believes she may not have been accepted to Brigham Young University had musicals, choir and advanced placement classes not been available to her.

"It helped me to be well rounded," Little said.

Kathleen Dooley, 18, is more concerned about how the budget atmosphere will affect her mom. She just graduated with a teaching degree in special education and Dooley is concerned her mom may not be able to put that degree to use for a while.

O'Connell told the students a season of pink slips makes the teaching field an unattractive career option.

And that has Christina Hall, 18, worried because she wants to follow in her father's footsteps and become a teacher as well.

"It's definitely a concern for me," Hall said. "When I'm done with college, what opportunities (will there be) for my career?"

But Kern High School District Superintendent Don Carter told the students to be optimistic, adding the district has tried to keep cuts as far away from classrooms as possible.

Education has survived many a tragedy, through wars and depressions, and schools would continue to do so, said Kern County Superintendent of Schools Larry Reider. O'Connell offered no recommendations or solutions to these students' concerns, but condemned the governor's across-the-board cuts.

"It's an abdication of one's responsibility in terms of setting priorities," O'Connell said.

Schwarzenegger said to a group of Bakersfield business leaders earlier this week that to balance the budget, he could not support one party's priorities over the other's.

O'Connell also declined to directly answer questions about the appropriateness of districts paying tens of thousands of dollars on trustee perks, such as salaries and health benefits, while budget cuts are expected to impact the classroom.

LOCAL ANGLE

The Kern High School District notified fewer teachers than expected of possible layoffs. Eighteen employees at comprehensive high schools, down from 33, were given pink slips. The five Lerdo Jail teachers were also notified.

John Teves, the district's spokesman, said several people retired or resigned between the time the board OK'd the district's plan and notices were prepared.

Also, the district previously accounted for a loss of revenue at six schools that receive funds from the Quality Education Investment Act, a lawsuit settlement after another state budget crisis, Teves said.

But the district decided to hold over some of this year's QEIA funds to bolster next year's budget.