Dale Petrulis for Redondo Beach School Board

Problem: Inadequate education budgets

All California school districts continue to struggle
with adequate school funding. The State and
Federal government often requires school districts
to implement programs but do not provide adequate
funding.

With tight budgets and the pressures of accountability, school districts face many difficult
and challenging decisions -- especially about reducing programs and personnel. Small
school districts such as Redondo Beach have few choices when making cuts from their
budget. We need creative solutions.

To solve the problem, I will:

Explore o ther sources of funding, including private foundations, state grants,
education foundations, and other community collaborators

Solicit input and listen to all issues. I will focus on communicating facts and information
to build trust and inspire confidence in a fair decision-making process

Prior to making budget decisions, I will examine how programs impact students'
academic, social, and emotional needs. Programs should be continued or ended based
on the positive impact they have on students' growth and development

Explore alternative ways to deliver services while still providing needed services and
support -- keeping cuts as far from the classroom as possible

Plan and promote ways to increase student attendance, since school district funding is
based on an allocation per child, per day of actual attendance

Support parents and the educational community to demand appropriate funding
from the State of California