Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/85441
YES ON 30 The Ghost of Education YET TO COME "Are these the shadows of things that will be, or are they the shadows of things that may be, only?" asked Scrooge. WITHOUT PROPOSITION 30, our schools and colleges face $6 bil- lion in cuts this year. There will be more school employee layoffs, larger class sizes, and further loss of programs. College degrees may become something only the wealthy can afford. University of California administrators say they would have to raise tuition as much as 20 percent in January if Prop. 30 fails. The good news: If Proposition 30 passes, we can put an end to John Swett High School Band students gather after school to practice. The band teacher is Vince Pizullo. furlough days, school closures, and cuts to sports and visual and performing arts. The few remaining school nurses could also be eliminated, despite being the only source of health care for many of the district's low-income students. Class sizes could go up. All cuts, of course, would result in more pink slips. Vibhuti Sharma has received a pink slip in each of the past five these cuts and put California back on the road to recovery. How- ever, school districts are planning for the worst. Here's a sample of some worst-case scenarios. The biggest elementary school district in the state could lose about $12 million from its $238 million budget if voters reject Proposi- tion 30, so the school board recently approved a resolution sup- porting the measure. "Passing it will allow us to tread water, BAKERSFIELD CITY: Ballooning class sizes Pam Baugher, school board trustee. "We would just be able to keep what we have. " says more furlough days and even larger class sizes, says Superinten- dent Rob Arias. Chad Dixon, a fifth-grade teacher at McKinley Elementary School, hopes his classes don't get any bigger. He had 36 students in his class last year, and 30 the year before. He says having such a large class made it more difficult to teach because he spends more time disciplining students. If Prop. 30 loses, there might be additional loss of teachers, " For the district, which has an annual budget of $245 million, trig- ger cuts would add $11.7 million to the district's existing $19.3 million shortfall. If Proposition 30 loses, there could be additional POMONA UNIFIED: Pink slips…again 32 California Educator October 2012 years. "It creates uncertainty for the entire school climate and is terrible for school morale, "There's not much to cut these days," says Superintendent Mike McLaughlin, but trigger cuts would reduce another $700,000 from the already bare-bones budget. "We will have to cut school days. Everything will be on the table. It will be the worst hurt this district has ever seen. I'm tired of cutting and I hope it doesn't happen." Teachers say that the district could cut as much as one month than it is on the teachers." JOHN SWETT UNIFIED: Cut to the bone of school, and they envision further layoffs, cuts in programs, increased class sizes, and further construction delays. "Whoever imagined that our schools would be in this kind of condition?" asks JSEA President Michael Kinsley. "Teachers are doing the best they can, but by any measure these kids are getting a sec- ond-class education." Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in 1843. His message still brings hope today: By remembering the past and reflecting on the present, we have the power to change the future. Please join CTA and Gov. Brown in helping to pass Proposition 30. To see what you can do, turn to page 38. " she says. "It is harder for the children 2012 ELECTION SPECIAL | VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 30