On the surface, we all want to pay teachers better and we all support smaller classrooms and better education for kids. The greater issue arises from the utter loss of financial responsibility at the city, state, and federal levels. It has long been the policy of California to just ignore budget deficits and move forward with programs that aren’t truly funded. Now, upon the impending bankruptcy of our state, we see that we can’t get away with it anymore.

A budget is created for a reason and by ignoring it for emotional reasons is careless, at best. If we want to support our teachers and schools (I certainly do), we need to make the appropriate cuts elsewhere.

It’s high time we focus on fiscal responsibility and common sense. Hopefully the impending cuts will make room for properly funding our schools and will encourage our citizens to really take a look at what programs we value the most.

In addition, as Pleasanton loses its amazing teachers, the schools get worse, and property values drop. Really, if all you think about is your bank account, you should have voted for Measure G, because schools are the main reason Pleasanton’s property values are higher than those nearby, and if the schools suffer so will property values.

As a recent graduate from Amador, I have to say that I owe any success I have achieved in higher education to Pleasanton schools. After going through Amador, Berkeley almost feels easy in comparison, despite the fact that I am in the toughest major at the school. If Pleasanton wants to keep sending out talented individuals to top schools, it needs to maintain its level of academic excellence, otherwise students will find themselves lost as competition for fewer seats at top schools gets worse and worse.