Governor Jerry Brown is asking for $6.9 Billion in new taxation and simultaneously cutting funding for transitional Kindergarten programs in the state.  The taxes would be placed on those making over $250,000 per year and would up the state sales tax by half a percent, which when coupled with measure M will mean 8.25% sales tax in Ladera Ranch and much of Orange County.

Additionally, he has proposed shortening the school year by three weeks, upsetting both parents and teachers unions.  The following was an e-mail sent today to Capistrano Unified School District parents regarding the planned cuts: 

Dear Parents:                                                         

Governor Brown announced his preliminary 2012-2013 budget on January 5, 2012, earlier than expected.  The preliminary budget is posted on the Governor’s website at http://gov.ca.gov/home.php.  The budget summary states that this is the time for reinvestment and reform, not for program expansions.  Sadly, it does not provide funding for the new Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program, as previously planned.   

Due to the fact that the preliminary budget proposes that TK will no longer be funded by the state, we will be canceling the parent meeting for Tuesday, January 10, 2012.

Please check the District website where information will be posted as it becomes available.  As we regroup, we will consider offering fee-based pre-school options for students who do not qualify to attend kindergarten in fall, 2012.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Pamela Watkins
Director Elementary
Early Childhood Programs