ASA PRINCIPLES IN DEALING

WITH THE STATE BUDGET CRISIS

·       ECONOMICS. A strong economy requires a strong educational system. And, education is an important economic engine. Over 80% of our public school resources are used to provide paychecks to middle-income and below wage earners. Those paychecks are spent on local goods and services. Cuts to K-12 education will have a direct negative impact on our economy.

·       EQUITY. Any consideration of reductions to K-12 education must be applied uniformly and be equitable across all of public education, including Charter Schools.

·       LOCAL CONTROL. If cuts to K-12 education are required, local school districts must be given the autonomy and flexibility to manage those painful reductions locally.

·       BALANCE. Effectively addressing the current budget crisis requires a balance of revenue enhancements and temporary expenditure reductions.