Lawmakers Must Make Commitment to Pupils

Re “Funding Public Education,” editorial, May 19:

As a parent of three students in the Irvine Unified School District, I applaud the California State Joint Budget Conference Committee for maintaining crucial funding levels for education in the proposed 2002-2003 state budget.

I urge California’s lawmakers and Gov. Gray Davis to fully fund education at least at the levels recommended by the Joint Budget Conference Committee and to make the commitment to California’s children for fair and equitable funding to public schools through equalization funding as provided for in this year’s budget proposal.

It is critical that the 2002-2003 budget be passed by the constitutional deadline of June 30 to ensure the Proposition 98 guarantee of funding to public schools. I urge lawmakers and Gov. Davis to make a commitment to pass this budget on time, with the proposed education funding intact.

Finally, I’d like to express my gratitude and pride in our elected representatives, Assemblyman John Campbell (R-Irvine) and Sen. Dick Ackerman (R-Irvine), for standing up for public education in general and Irvine in particular.

Our children and our schools look to you during these difficult economic times.

Judy Avichouser

Irvine