Speier renews pledge

Speier reiterated the Democratic Caucus' promise to delay passing a budget with inadequate education funding, and said state legislators are more divided on fundamental priorities for the state than on partisan lines.

"We will hold out all summer for education," Speier said, drawing some applause from about 50 of her constituents assembled in the Aragon High auditorium.

Clark explained how her school district struggles with dwindling state funds, and how her schools are forced to spend thousands of dollars complying with state laws and court decisions when money could be better spent on books and supplies.

"We have schools that depend on parents who fund basic programs and supplies," Clark said.

The San Mateo-Foster City School District has cut about $5 million from its budget in the last four years, and it now has two groundskeepers for its 20 schools.

"Many schools ask parents to bring in toilet paper," she said.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger added about $250 million to his proposed education budget in his May revision, but that money is restricted, and is not likely cover things like rest room supplies

"I knew the bad news already," said Mary Pat O'Connell, principal of Highlands Elementary School in San Mateo, who attended the town hall meeting. "But it's good that people do battle on our behalf."

Two students from Belmont's Central Elementary School presented Speier with stacks of signed letters asking the governor to fund Proposition 98. A student from Aragon High School presented similar papers.

Crilly said his school district faced problems finding money for school bus gas and groundskeeping, among other things.

Mark Hudak, a trustee of the San Mateo-Foster City School District, said he hoped Speier would try to use her influence to channel more money to schools, and backed her pledge to battle the Schwarzenegger administration's budget.

"I hope they have the courage to stick to that," he said.

Stephen Baxter can be reached by e-mail at stephen@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 109. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.