More money will be coming to California schools since Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the 2006 state budget, which includes more than usual amounts of money allotted for the Palo Alto Unified School District. Approximately $67.1 billion is being allotted for education around the state.
According to Paly Principal Scott Laurence, PAUSD will receive approximately $100,000 in discretionary funds over the next four or five months to be spent by the Paly Site Council. The exact amount cannot be named since the state has not yet published its guidelines and regulations for the money.
"We don’t know a lot since the regulations haven’t come yet," Laurence said. Laurence also noted that the district will be receiving block grants from the state for art, music, physical education, and extra guidance counseling for students, especially those who failed the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE).
Block grants are grants of money meant to be spent in a designated, specific way. According the gubernatorial website (http://gov.ca.gov/issue/budget-specifics/k12), the state has allotted a total of $535.5 million for one time, discretionary block grants to school districts and sites.
Recently cut at many schools, P.E., music, and art are being allotted more funds by the state for all districts. The gubernatorial website states that $105 million is going to an art and music block grant while $40 million is for the hiring of P.E. teachers. In addition, $500 million will be allocated for P.E., art, and music supplies.
Paly band instructor Jeff Wilner is happy at the possibility of more money yet notes that for music, it may not be much. With some instruments such as the baritone saxophone costing several thousands, the money will help will help, but according to WIlner, not in a large way.
"It’s going to keep our heads above water," Wilner said. Wilner made note of the fact that the district just renovated the music room and spent about $7,500 on new chairs. According to WIlner, most of the money coming is most likely to be spent on items such as a copy machine or other office tools needed by the music program.
P.E. has also suffered in recent years, yet with the obesity epidemic and the pending county legislation to extend P.E. to four years, many including the government are looking at it as a valuable asset for schools.
"It would be nice to update equipment," said department head Linda Hildreth. Hildreth expressed wishes to add more facilities for students. "We would have equipment for aerobic classes and rehabilitation," Hildreth said. Hildreth also brought up the point of a rising student enrollment. Typically, there are four P.E. classes at a time, but the new money could go to having an extra P.E. class each period.
The ESL (English as a Second Language) classes which are offered at Gunn, will receive $30 million statewide according to the gubernatorial website to aide the states numerous students coming from places where English is not the primary language, according to the gubernatorial website. Special education is receiving $175.6 million and $15.6 million is going to providing internet to schools in California. Twenty two point seven million dollars will be going to help train and recruit teachers to ensure high quality teachers for all students.
The funding comes as relief in the wake of the numerous cuts over the recent years. Including this latest increase, the education budget has been increased by $10.1 billion since 2002 according to the gubernatorial website. Fortunately schools will be receiving more money for programs that directly effect students.