State Deficit Puts School Funding Back on the Chopping Block

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School districts around the state say they will increase class sizes, lay off teachers, and even close some of their schools. With a deficit of $16 billion, Governor Schwarzenegger wants to reduce education spending by $4.8 billion over the next two years. LA Unified says it'll be faced with its biggest shortfall in history.  We hear what that could mean and what the alternatives might be.

More than one California governor has threatened to save money by cutting back on education only to restore funding before the next school year begins. Governor Schwarzenegger says this year's deficit requires that $4.8 billion be cut from schools over the next two years. The Los Angeles Unified School District claims a $460 million reduction would be the equivalent of closing 22 high schools, firing 5700 employees or an 8% pay cut across the board.

From this Episode:

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney

Producers:

Christian Bordal, Dan Konecky