Thursday, March 6, 2008

California Budget Cuts

As a result of budget cuts made by the Governor of California for the upcoming fiscal year, many programs around California will be cut or reduced in a significant way. A lot of businesses will feel the effects of these cuts, but the programs that will get the brunt of the cuts will be the schools. It doesn’t matter where you might be going to school in the state of California, it is almost certain that some funds from your school will be cut off.


Picture courtesy of: http://www.sourcewatch.org/

Public schools, whether middle school or high school, have the potential to lose some of their faculty and also the resources that are available for the kids now. Budget cuts within this sector of the school system may also result in limited classes this coming fall and the semesters afterward. Class sizes these days are staggering, but be prepared for schools to add more students to these packed rooms because of the impending cuts.

There will also be noticeable effects from the number of students graduating from High School that may not continue their education to the college level. Lower-income families heavily rely on financial aid to help their children go to school and with little money potentially being given out next fall to students, an education might have to wait.

The impact of the budget cuts doesn’t really affect people until it hits close to home. As a San Francisco State University student, messages from the financial aid department has been circulating that reminds students to take as much classes within the next two semesters. The message warns that a lot of programs might not appear anymore due to low funding. Another blow to college students preparing to finish school within a reasonable timeframe.
Overall, many school officials are trying to make their voices heard by joining protests around the state. Students are coming together to make their voices heard also to the administrative body to protest their concerns. What will you do to help?