State budget crunch has Pleasant Valley schools facing tough times

From what we've been told so far, the state budget is drowning in red ink and will likely be using the monies meant for public schools as a life preserver. The showdown over the education budget will be coming to a head in the next few months.

Even with funding mandates protected by state law, school districts such as Pleasant Valley are likely to see their revenues drop significantly when the ink finally dries on this year's budget. The district receives pproximately 80 percent of its income from the state, and when Sacramento sneezes, Pleasant Valley catches cold. At a time when teachers are clamoring for raises and student enrollment is dropping, it looks as if the school district is about to be hit by the perfect storm.

We've heard the cries before, that California ranks near the bottom of the country in the amount of per pupil funding, and that the cost of living in Camarillo has kept many younger families from moving here, which means fewer students every year. We also know that the demands placed by parents upon Pleasant Valley schools are tougher than most.

The school district is in for a rough time as it tries to divvy up an ever-shrinking pie.

Regardless of the evaporating money it's disconcerting to hear that both parents and members of the Pleasant Valley School Board would begrudge programs at the Camarillo Academy of Progressive Education from receiving grant money from the Pleasant Valley Foundation for Education.

Is CAPE not a public school serving Camarillo children? Weren't the grants awarded on merit without mention of which school was requesting the funds? And isn't the Pleasant Valley Education Foundation a nonprofit organization independent of the school district and allowed to distribute the money as their board of directors sees fit? The simple answer to those questions is yes.

Energy should be spent focusing on the impending budget crunch and how it means everyone involved in public schools- parents, teachers and administrators- will have to tighten their belts that much more to ensure Camarillo's students will continue to receive the best education possible.

The year ahead will be difficult and sacrifices will have to be made.

Local children still attend some of the best public schools in Southern California and, luckily, Pleasant Valley's administrators are doing their best to keep it that way.