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Harbinger of Budget Cuts to California Schools: Mass Student Walkout in Alameda
By David Dayen
d-day
This is a really big deal.
Hundreds of students have walked out of their classes in Alameda in a protest over the state's proposed budget cuts.
Students from Encinal High School marched off campus and straight to the school district's headquarters.
Tuesday night, the district school board voted to cut $200,000 out of sports programs and to increase class sizes on some campuses to save money.
This got national cable news coverage today, by the way.
I'm not saying this is akin to protesting the draft in the Vietnam War era, but the similarity is that when you threaten the livelihood of a whole mass of people, you awake a sleeping giant. And society actually has a compelling interest in providing a full platter of school programs to create a well-rounded and engaged class of young people. It won't be long before these students are joined by teachers and parents on the streets.
Republicans can keep their heads in the sand or they can take note. The governor's already flopping like a fish, bringing it down to the "it depends on what your definition of tax increase is". He knows that his political legacy is on the line and that you're going to anger the whole state if you try to balance the budget on the backs of students. Democrats need to simply defend the principle that the state is worth paying for. The public will be with them. The ghost of Howard Jarvis is being slain.
P.S. High school seniors vote, they've been energized by the excitement in the Democratic presidential race, and they should be targeted furiously by legislative Democrats.
Dave is a writer, comedian and TV/film editor based in Santa Monica. He is an elected member of the Democratic State Central Committee from the 41st Assembly District. He blogs on state and national politics at http://d-day.blogspot.com/
Comments
Yes that is really going to help the school. Do student ever realize that state is cutting money and not the school.
Posted by: Jeff at March 5, 2008 03:13 PM
The students at the protest were really great and articulate. They totally understand that the cuts (elementary music, middle school counselors, high school athletics) are not the fault of the school district administration or the school board. They reserved their criticism for the state--which funds Alameda Unified less per student than any other district in Alameda County ($900 less per student per year than the best-funded district in the county) and the 10 percent cuts proposed by the governor.
Posted by: Eve at March 6, 2008 09:33 AM
When are taxpayers going to wake up and demand people here illegally to PAY into our system?
42nd in the nation for per pupil spending?
With our property taxes going up and the highest they have been ever. Not to mention the growth in population which should translate to more revenue, the money is being spent somewhere and it isn't on our childs education. We are picking up the slack for thousands that are not contributing. But guess what, we will be told to fork out in taxes or sacrifice our childrens education!
Posted by: merrilee copelan at March 13, 2008 06:08 PM
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