San Gabriel Valley educators, students, politicians rally for school funding

Photo Gallery

Education Forum in Glendale

Retiring Math Teacher from Charter Oak High School speaks to his frustration of the funding for education in California as Education leaders and community members from throughout San Gabriel Valley held a forum to discuss the local effects of devastating statewide education cuts held at Glendale High School Auditorium in Glendale, Saturday, March 12, 2011.
(SGVN/Eric Reed/Staff Photographer)

GLENDALE - Educators, students, parents and politicians warned of dire consequences for the San Gabriel Valley and the state if Governor Jerry Brown's proposed 5-year tax extension plan is not successful.

With California's annual budget more than $25 billion in the red, the governor has proposed a plan involving about $12.5 billion in cuts to funding and programs, and an equal amount to be raised annually through the extension of existing temporary taxes due to expire this year.

The governor's plan, however, depends on the tax extensions being placed on the ballot by the state legislature, then passed by the voters. Without the tax extension, officials estimate $4.5 billion could be cut from the state education budget.

"K-12 education has been reduced by 14 percent since 2005. The next round of cuts will affect our children," said Rowland Unified School District Superintendent Maria Ott.