South Bay Educators Decry Shortened School Year Proposals

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - The prospect of state budget that strictly cuts spending loomed over an education summit in the South Bay Tuesday, where school leaders said they can't spare any further expenses or cuts to school days.

Silicon Valley's education elite gathered at the supervisor's chambers to talk about the state of education, with the state budget being topic number one.

KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:

Many educators at the meeting said they'd already been cut to the bone in their districts.

Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools Charles Weis said this is the worst he's ever seen it for public schools.

"We already have the shortest school year in the nation, and the only way to get through with the additional 11 percent cut that they're proposing will be to reduce our school year significantly," said Weis.

"It's like 'Mission: Impossible' where someone lights that fuse, well the fuse has already been lit," said Eastside Union High School District Superintendent Dan Moser.

By some reports, California's school year could be twenty days shorter next year if the governor's plan to increase tax extensions fails to come to pass. The shorter year could be part of the revised budget Governor Jerry Brown plans to release in two weeks.

The California Legislative Analyst's Office said the state could save $1 billion for every five-day week it cuts from the school calendar.

Republicans have dismissed the proposal to shrink the school year as a scare tactic.

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