Photo by Caitlin Regan
Over the last two years, $17 billion in educational budget reductions have prompted nearly 400 school districts to cut back on maintenance, class materials and critical faculty, according to a state survey released last week.
In May, 387 school districts, county offices of education and charter schools answered questions from the state Department of Education about how they have balanced their budgets in light of state budget cuts.
State officials wanted to know which programs, if any, were cut or eliminated in the last two school years and if staff reductions, school closures, or reduced school years were occurring as the result of funding cuts.
The results of the survey are as follows:
|
Results of K-12 Budget Cuts Survey by Category |
Percentage of Respondents |
|
Building, Grounds/Maintenance |
65% |
|
District Administration |
58% |
|
Instructional Materials |
58% |
|
Counselors, Nurses, Psychologists |
48% |
|
Art, Music, & Drama |
48% |
|
Classified Staff Compensation Reductions |
47% |
|
Certificated Staff Compensation Reductions |
45% |
|
K-3 Class Size Reduction |
35% |
|
Electives |
34% |
|
Library |
34% |
|
Facilities |
33% |
|
Teachers |
32% |
|
Professional Development Programs |
30% |
|
Paraeducators, Instructional Assistants |
29% |
|
Gifted and Talented Education |
28% |
|
Athletics |
27% |
|
Supplemental Instruction, Summer School |
26% |
|
Adult Education |
20% |
|
High School Class Size Reduction |
18% |
|
Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment |
18% |
|
Reduced School Year |
16% |
|
Food, Nutrition Services |
14% |
|
Technology Services |
12% |
|
Transportation |
12% |
|
Physical Education |
12% |
|
Career Technical Education |
11% |
|
School Closure |
10% |
|
Child Development, Early Childhood Programs |
8% |
|
Compensatory Education |
5% |
|
Special Education |
5% |
|
Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate Programs |
4% |
|
Driver Education |
4% |
|
Safe Schools, Security, School Police |
4% |
|
Multilingual Services, Services for English Learners |
3% |
|
Regional Occupational Centers and Programs |
1% |
|
Homeless Education |
0% |
Superintendent Jack O'Connell said the survey shows schools are trying to do their best despite tough circumstances.
The survey results make clear that school administrators are making heartrending decisions to balance their dwindling budgets while trying valiantly to keep students’ best interests in mind.
… Our public education system is in crisis. These cuts hurt students and hurt California’s future economic viability. I call on the governor and the Legislature to show the courage and leadership needed to find a budget solution that puts students first and protects our schools from further cuts.
Comments
via Twitter