Central Coast News KION/KCBARural School Students Reach Out to Lawmakers for Funding

Rural School Students Reach Out to Lawmakers for Funding

SOLEDAD, Calif. – A troubled Central Coast school district calls in the cavalry.   The Soledad Union School District said it's in such trouble, lawmakers need to see it for themselves.

Students and teachers at the Soledad Unified School District are so sick of school cuts—they took action. They asked Assemblyman Luis Alejo to visit the city's schools to see just how bad things are.

"I'm from a low income family.  Knowing the school does not have enough money to provide what I need and my family cannot provide what I need, I feel discouraged," said Soledad High School Freshman Mariana Campos.

Like every other district, Soledad would lose millions of dollars if voters don't approve the governor's sales tax hike in November. Students made sure Alejo and other lawmakers know what it will mean to them.

"From drama to sports to all different activities, it does make a difference in what we do. Now with all of these cuts that are happening, who knows if we are going to have these in the future?" said Sophomore Manny Santa Ana.

Marybeth Orser spent 41 years in the district. She fought back tears when talking about the problems she sees.  

"You have kids in the class that a teacher cannot get to. Everyday the teacher looks at that kid and says I haven't reached that kid again," said Orser.  "The little kids they feel defeated. The big kids, they are at the point where they say ‘forget you'."

Three years ago every school in Soledad was labeled in need of "Program Improvement," but three schools are now off the list. District officials are worried anymore cuts could change that.

The Superintendent says in a rural school district like Soledad, getting the kids to school is a top priority. So the $380,000 cut to transportation is devastating and will have to be made up through other funds meaning other programs could suffer.

"It's very difficult to face your community and know that maybe the neighboring districts are receiving a million more than you just because of the way the formula is created," said Superintendent Deneen Newman of Soledad Unified School District.

Students said they the gap in funding is a fact no one can ignore.

"It would just be better if like every school was equal," said Santa Ana.

Assemblyman Alejo said funding for school districts is in the hands of voters in November.