HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES No. 08-25RESOLUTION NO. 08-25
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT
IN OPPOSITION TO GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED 2008-2009 BUDGET
RELATIVE TO EDUCATION FUNDING
WHEREAS, California's more than 6 million students deserve high -quality
schools with well -trained educators, small class sizes, quality instructional materials, up-
to-date textbooks and dynamic parental support; and
WHEREAS, Governor Schwarzenegger's 2008-2009 budget proposal calls for
massive and devastating cuts to K-12 students and schools by reducing Proposition 98
funding by $4.4 billion for 2008-2009; and
WHEREAS, a $4.4 billion cut to Proposition 98 funding would mean laying off
tens of thousands of teachers statewide and would also result in increases in class size,
not to mention a further erosion of the support system for students provided by
classified and paraprofessional staff; and
WHEREAS, under the governor's proposed budget, Desert Sands Unified School
District is expected to lose at least $13.4 million in 2008-2009 due to the suspension of
Proposition 98; and
WHEREAS, according to recently released reports and studies, California
spends $1,900 less per student than the national average, seriously under funding its
public schools; and
WHEREAS, the governor's proposed budget reductions are fundamentally
inconsistent with the state's goal of improving student achievement, at a time when our
students are making progress toward meeting rigorous state and federal education
standards; and
WHEREAS, the "Getting Down To Facts" studies show that billions more need to
be invested in education in California to ensure the opportunity for all students to
succeed now and in the future; and
WHEREAS, the $16 billion budget problem was not created by our students and
fixing the problem should not come at the expense of their educational progress and
success; and
WHEREAS, California voters approved and continue to strongly support
Proposition 98 to protect schools and students from harmful budget cuts and to
establish a minimum level of educational funding; and
Resolution No. 08-25
WHEREAS, the governor's budget proposal goes against the will of California
voters;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT
HEREBY FINDS, DETERMINES, RESOLVES AND ORDERS AS FOLLOWS:
That the City of Palm Desert strongly opposes the governor's 2008-2009 budget
proposal and urges the governor and Legislature to discuss all possibilities to solve the
budget crisis, including new revenue sources and expenses.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this day of , 2008.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Jean M. Benson, Mayor
ATTEST:
Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk
City of Palm Desert, California