The Department of Education receives 60% of the state's budget, or about 60 BILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY. Yet our children are at the bottom of all 50 states in test scores and have the least chance of success of any children in the United States. This is wrong! Our children deserve better. It is apparent we do not have a money problem, we have a management problem. This mismanagement of available funds has lead to teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, cuts in sports, band and the arts, hiring freezes and eventually the closing of schools. THIS IS NOT THE ANSWER! As Governor, I will make the following changes.

1. Reorganize the state education system from the top down.
2. Initiate the voucher system so parents can decide the future of their children by
    selecting the school of their choice.
3. Fulfill our obligation to open the maximum number of charter schools allowed
    by law.
4. Get the State of California out of the school business and place it back at the
    local level.
5. Place checks and balances on the Board of Education to stop frivolous spending.
6. Ensure the future of our children by reinstating band, sports, art and other
    subjects that have been cut due to budget restraints.
7. Verify the validity or residency of those attending our K-12 schools. California
    can no longer bear the burden of free education and free lunches to non-residents.