06.01.09: Immediate Action Requested
By David Walrath
Immediate Action Requested
Immediate action is needed to protect small school districts from a $404 million (65%) cut to home-to-school transportation for 2009-10.
There is no backfill for these cuts.
This cut is part of Governor Schwarzenegger’s May 29th proposal to cut an additional $3 billion from the 2009-10 state General Fund budget.
Because small, rural school districts have the greatest need to transport students to school, the bulk of this cut will be disproportionately felt by rural families.
Schools have a week to respond and start to defeat this proposal.
Please do the following starting today:
- Inform your school board trustees.
- Call your State Assembly Member and State Senator to urge rejection of this 65% cut; include how much this will be per pupil.
- Inform your pupils’ parents and staff that if this cut happens, the district might have to review who can be transported.
- Let your community know that district leadership opposes the proposed cut and that you have asked your Assembly Member and Senator to oppose.
- Inform your pupil’s parents and the school community of the telephone number, fax and e-mail of your Assembly Member, State Senator and Governor Schwarzenegger if they want to communicate directly.
SSDA, along with Kern County Schools and the School Transportation Coalition will be fighting to defeat this new proposal from the Governor.
Update: June 1 at 11:20 a.m.
Click here for the School Transportation Coalition testimony.
Click here for the impact of the cuts by school district.
