While the state budget impasse continues this summer in Sacramento, now is the time for Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) students, parents, teachers, administrators, unions and other key constituency groups to telephone or email their state representatives in Sacramento. The message: No more cuts to K-12 education.

The LAUSD, which is facing one of the worst budget crisis in its history, depends on state funding to educate its 700,000 students. Although the Los Angeles Board of Education has approved a 2008-09 Provisional Budget, District officials must wait for the California State Legislature to pass a state funding blueprint before it can adopt a final school budget.

Despite $350 million in cuts, the LAUSD retained current classroom programs, enhanced student safety and generally preserved teacher jobs for the current school year, which began July 1. However, the District could be hard-pressed to stave off significant cuts in the future unless changes take place in Sacramento.

Beginning in 2008-09, the LAUSD must cut $1 billion in the next three years to balance its budget. The District faces significant cuts—including layoffs to teachers—beginning with the 2009-10 school year unless the state economy improves and/or the California Legislature substantially boosts education funding.

Please join us in telling the Governor and your state legislators that they need to find other ways to balance the budget now and in the future. Call them, write them or email them. Tell them they must restore K-12 education funding and develop long-term solutions that will help to generate new revenue streams, including new taxes.

The future of our children and state depend on it.

Continue to visit LAStudentsCount.org for the latest information on the LAUSD’s budget crisis.