Parent groups urge outcry over school budget

As the presidents representing all Parent Faculty Associations/Clubs in the Las Virgenes Unified School District, we are gravely concerned about the impending state budget cuts.

Our district has met all fiscal requirements established by the state regarding reserve levels and prudent financing. Despite this, the district will lose millions in promised funding that will result in dozens of teachers losing their jobs and the loss of critical programs such as librarians, counselors and technology support.

Our community has demonstrated its commitment to public education by twice passing a parcel tax to protect key programs which will likely be lost as a result of the governor's proposal.

The state's fiscal crisis is a result of a structural budget problem in the state, not a management problem or program problem with our local schools. Our message is clear: Stop balancing the state's budget on the backs of our children's education. LVUSD children must not continue to be shortchanged because of the state's failure to provide necessary funding for an adequate education.

We urge everyone within our community to take action and let their voices be heard with both state and local representatives. Enough is enough. Whether you have school-age children or not, these budget cuts will have a direct, immediate and devastating effect on our community.

Thanks to all those who joined us on April 2 at the forum, but our work is not over yet. Please continue to call and write our representatives in Sacramento to ensure that our message is heard loud and clear.

Marcia Bhattacharya and Lesli Stein, Agoura High; Lisa Wayne and Victoria Rhodes, Bay Laurel Elementary; Mary Moody & Monica Rose, Buttercup Preschool; Shari Gillis and Beth Preece, Calabasas High; Laura Ainsworth, Chaparral Elementary; Angela Cutbill and Penny Sylvester, Lindero Canyon Middle School; Lesli Kraut, Lupin Hill Elementary; Cheri Lemons and Mathy Wasserman, Round Meadow Elementary; Sharon Boucher and Karen Brown, A.C. Stelle Middle School; Debby Pattiz, Sumac Elementary; Chris Friedman and Karin Urban, White Oak Elementary; Laly Ballard and Tami Wank, Willow Elementary; Jane Contis, A.E. Wright Middle School; Joann Melancon, Special Education PTA.