SAN GABRIEL VALLEYWIDE NEWS
By Abbey Hood

Wearing yellow buttons that read “S.O.S,” an acronym for save our schools, a little less than 100 superintendents from California school districts marched on the State Capitol in Sacramento Monday to protest the governor’s proposed cuts to education funding.
Approximately 100 students joined 40 superintendents from Los Angeles County and 200 California school administrators to listen to state education leaders speak out about the $4 billion the governor has proposed to cut from education next year.
“The basic theme at the meeting, was asking legislators to not suspend Proposition 98,” said San Marino Superintendent Dr. Gary Woods.
Speakers, including State Superintendent Jack O’Connell, pointed out the dismal state our schools are in, said Woods.
O’Connell directly challenged the governor and Republicans on the framing of this issue: “We don’t have a spending problem. Our problem is with our priorities. When you hear people say we have a spending problem, you tell them we have a values problem. We have a problem with or priorities. That is why we need to make sure that the public policy document for the state of California is one that invests in the future.”
Currently California is ranked 46th in education spending, 48th in classrooms size, said Woods. We could potentially be 50 and 50, he continued.
“Although California is the eighth most powerful economy in the world, we employee 30 percent less teachers, 50 percent less administrators and 80 percent less counselors than the majority of the states,” said Woods. “This was a strong theme.”
San Marino Unified School District is cutting between $1.5 million to $2.5 million from its budget next year, said Woods.
“We have done a reduction in force,” said Woods. “We laid off 11. 4 certificated staff, no teachers.”
Beverly Hills Unified School District voted to cut $3.6 million from the district budget next year, 38 certificated staff, including 33 teachers. Superintendent Kari McVeigh was one of 40 superintendents who were not able to attend the superintendents’ protest this week.
“I had a pre-arranged event scheduled for (Sunday),” said McVeigh. “Also, because of the cuts we have curtailed all traveling expenses. The school district passed a resolution at the last board meeting that will go up to the state.”
Woods said San Marino voted to do the same. Superintendents from Palos Verdes, Arcadia, Pasadena and Los Angeles Unified reminded legislators of one major thing, he said.
“This is not an issue of money, this is an issue of priorities,” said Woods. “If you set your priorities straight, the money will follow.”
The superintendent said the protest was hopeful, legislators said they do keep track of how many letters they receive, school districts are recommending to keep the letters coming.
“It made an impact in Sacramento,” said Woods. “It was one of the first times people can remember a group of superintendents on the steps standing as one.”