Budget crisis forces deep cuts at Calif. schools

by E Wayne Ross on July 2, 2009

AP: Budget crisis forces deep cuts at Calif. schools

RICHMOND, Calif. (AP) — California’s historic budget crisis threatens to devastate a public education system that was once considered a national model but now ranks near the bottom in school funding and academic achievement.

Deep budget cuts are forcing California school districts to lay off thousands of teachers, expand class sizes, close schools, eliminate bus service, cancel summer school programs, and possibly shorten the academic year.