On May 14, 2008, the Board of Managers of 17th District PTA adopted the following resolution. We also encourage units and councils to adopt a similar resolution at their meetings. There is a sample resolution available and you can also see others who have adopted it.

Resolution in Opposition to the Proposed 2008-09 Budget

WHEREAS, The California State PTA advocates for adequate and stable funding to support student academic achievement and to promote programs for the health and safety of all children and families; and

WHEREAS, The California State PTA and the voters of California strongly supported the passage of Proposition 98 to guarantee a minimum level of funding for the State’s public schools; and

WHEREAS, California has the most rigorous academic standards and one of the most stringent accountability systems in the nation, but is currently ranked 46th among the 50 states in K-12 spending per student; and

WHEREAS, California is near the bottom in the nation in almost every category of school funding, including school nurses, librarians, counselors, and other critical support staff per student; and

WHEREAS, The governor’s proposed budget for 2008-09 recommends a $4.4 billion cut to K-14 education (which would require the suspension of Proposition 98) on top of a $400 million reduction for education in the current year, with a net effect of approximately $800 less per K-12 student; and

WHEREAS, The Governor’s proposal would lead to dramatic reductions in support staff at schools as well as widespread teacher layoffs and increased class sizes; and

WHEREAS, The California State PTA believes that new revenue sources must be considered to balance the state budget and avoid harmful cuts; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Seventeenth District PTA OPPOSES the proposed budget cuts to education and to programs that ensure the health and protection of ALL of the state’s children, youth, and families.