| On October 24, 2009, more than 800 students, workers, and teachers converged at UC Berkeley at the Mobilizing Conference to Save Public Education. This massive meeting brought together representatives from over 100 different schools, unions, and organizations from all across California and from all sectors of public education. After hours of open collective discussion, the conference democratically voted, as its principal decision, to call for a statewide Strike and Day of Action on March 4, 2010. The March 4th South Bay Committee has answered the call for a Statewide Strike and Day of Action to save public education. Below are personal accounts of how the budget cuts have devastated different students' campuses. At San Jose State University, the statewide $2 billion cut to higher education is having devastating effects. First and foremost we are facing a $41 million cut at San Jose State. We have had 26 furlough days imposed on our academic year. As if that were not bad enough, we are facing fee hikes costing us more than $10,000 per year. Layoffs are at the order or the day, resulting in families being left to their own luck and fewer classes available for the students. In short, we are paying a high price for a poor quality education. What we are seeing is that the state's financial crisis is being balanced on the backs of students, faculty and campus workers. In the De Anza/Foothill Community College District, we are expecting a $10.6 million deficit. The physical shape of our campus has been deteriorating since there are only four custodians left maintaining our campus of 25,000 students. In total, 42 positions are to be eliminated, which will leave only 3 people working in the Administration and Records Department. More than 500 hundred classes have been cut already, and more cuts across the board are planned for all departments. Last fall quarter, there were more than 3,000 people on the waiting list. This quarter, three Spanish classes have been combined into one. This results in an overcrowded classroom with people sitting on the floor and the instructor having to juggle three classes at the same time for the same pay. The tutoring center is also in serious lack of funds and cannot provide the same service it used to. EOPS, a program to help out low income students, students of color, and those who are the first one to go to college in their family, is at risk. At the rate we are going, our tuition will increase over the next six years to $60 dollars per unit. Due to budget cuts, even community colleges like ours have to deny those seeking higher education, and those who are able to afford it receive a poor education. At Cupertino High School and the Fremont Union High School District, we are facing serious issues with a district-wide deficit of 10 million dollars. We attempted to pass a new parcel tax last year to renew the old one and to account for inflation and cost of living. It was going be an indefinite tax so that it would not need to be renewed every 10 years. However, the tax did not pass and now we are facing major cuts.The district has asked students and parents to now choose 5 out of 19 key areas to keep intact from the cuts. These areas include summer school, AP language classes, numbers of years of mathematics available, college and career support, AVID(advancement via individual development), class size, repeatable courses, guidance counseling, library time, tutor support, and helping students who are at risk of not graduating. The district is going back out this year with a new parcel tax that won't be adjusted for inflation, that will have an end date, and that will only bring in $5.2 million dollars. Even with this new tax, we will still be facing major cuts. Our teachers and faculty are also having difficulty with their health care plan and are in debate over whether the union should continue to provide for the staff due to the rising cost and dwindling funds. While Cupertino High is far from being a bad school, we are still affected by the bigger, overarching problem of the budget crisis. The following are our demands and the different actions that will be taken on March 4th in the South Bay. We call on community organizations, students, people of color, workers and allies to join our call and actions against the budget cuts. -South Bay March 4th Committee Demands: Repeal proposition 13 Support AB 656 Stop the layoffs! Save our children! Save our teachers! Save our future! Accessibility, affordability and quality! Stop the privatization of education! Democratization and transparency of our schools!(instructor, student and campus worker control over the management of our schools) Actions for March 4 in the South-Bay: San Jose State University: Keep the Doors Open: March-In for Higher Ed 11 am Gather at San Jose City Hall 11:45 am March to San Jose State Tower Lawn (7th Street Plaze entrance) Noon Speakers on keeping the CSU open for current and future students. Three "box" pyramids representing: 1) missing students (access) 2) missing faculty 3) missing class sections Participants will include teachers and students from K-16,and community leaders. Contact: Sue Pak, 510-290-4308 De Anza Community College: March 4th Local Action Start of Action: Teach-In (10:30am to 12:30pm) Main Action: March from De Anza main quad to Cupertino city council Rally and Gather in Main Quad (12:30 to 1:30) MARCH to Cupertino City Council (1:30-3:10) Screening of film "Walkout" and discussion (3:30pm to 5:30pm) Celebration party (6pm to 9pm) For more info contact: deanzalocalaction@gmail.com | 