por Suzanne Potter

Educators in California are speaking out against plans in Congress to cut hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid, known as Medi-Cal in the Golden State.

Medi-Cal pays for health care for more than 37 percent of California’s children, and more than 51 percent of kids in LA Unified, the state’s largest school district.

Corey Tamblyn, a school psychologist at Pajaro Valley Unified School District in Watsonville, said right now schools get federal dollars to do assessments of Medi-Cal-eligible kids.

“So, a lot of times we serve as the intermediary to identify things that are happening in students, like autism as well as mental health disorders,” said Tamblyn. “Without these monies, I do think that we’re going to be less supportive of our families, more burdens are going to be put on families.”

Studies show that kids who get preventive care through Medi-Cal are less likely to be absent from class, are more likely to graduate from high school and college, and earn higher wages in adulthood.

Massive cuts to Medi-Cal would mean less money to community clinics and rural hospitals that serve low-income families.

And since the state would have to backfill funds to maintain basic levels of care – that would take billions of dollars away from other state budget priorities, such as education and law enforcement.

Tamblyn noted that Medi-Cal also reimburses schools for services to students with disabilities.
“What, essentially, I think it will do is erode and deteriorate services for kids,” said Tamblyn. “It’s kind of putting the most vulnerable kids at risk.”Last week, the House budget committee, controlled by Republicans, passed a budget resolution that calls for tax cuts of up to $4.5 trillion, which critics say would primarily benefit corporations and the wealthy.

The committee also set a goal of cutting $2 trillion in federal spending.

by the El Reportero staff

San Francisco’s Board of Education is set to vote next week on issuing preliminary layoff notices to 559 employees in a bid to address a $113 million budget deficit for the upcoming school year. The proposed layoffs would impact 395 teachers and other certified staff, as well as 164 classified staff, including office workers, custodians, and bus drivers. The move is part of a broader strategy to bring fiscal solvency to a district facing severe financial challenges.

This difficult decision, while necessary from a financial standpoint, raises significant concerns about the potential effects on teachers, students, and the overall educational experience. Teachers are at the heart of the educational process, and the loss of such a large portion of the teaching workforce could have a direct, negative impact on the quality of instruction students receive. With fewer educators, class sizes are likely to increase, making it harder for teachers to give individual attention to students and potentially leading to a decrease in overall academic performance.

Furthermore, the district’s reliance on seniority-based layoffs may disproportionately affect newer teachers, who often bring fresh ideas, innovative approaches, and a deep commitment to student success. This dynamic could create uncertainty and stress within the workforce, with teachers left wondering about their job security as they focus on meeting the academic needs of their students.

For students, the ripple effects of these layoffs could be felt in multiple ways. Larger class sizes and a reduced number of available teachers could hinder personalized learning and support for students, particularly those who need additional help or face academic challenges. Specialized programs that cater to students with unique needs may also be scaled back or eliminated, further widening educational disparities.

The reduction in classified staff—such as custodians, office workers, and bus drivers—could also disrupt the daily operations that students depend on. Custodians play an essential role in maintaining clean and safe learning environments, and the loss of these staff members could lead to deteriorating school facilities. Office staff often provide critical administrative support, ensuring that everything from attendance records to communication with families runs smoothly. Without them, other employees may be burdened with additional responsibilities, potentially slowing down essential processes.

The elimination of bus drivers poses another unique challenge. Students who rely on school transportation to get to class might experience longer wait times or disruptions in their daily routines, impacting their overall educational experience and attendance rates.

Superintendent Maria Su expressed the district’s commitment to its staff, emphasizing that the decision to issue layoff notices is difficult but necessary to achieve fiscal solvency. Yet, this decision highlights the broader challenges that school districts across California are facing in terms of balancing budgets while maintaining quality education. As the Board of Education moves forward with these tough choices, it will be crucial to ensure that the most vulnerable—students—do not bear the brunt of these financial decisions.

In the coming months, the district plans to issue final layoff notices in May. It remains to be seen how these layoffs will shape the educational landscape in San Francisco, but one thing is clear: the impact on teachers and students will be profound, potentially altering the educational experience for years to come.

– Bay City News contributed to this report.