[Gopher Broke]

There is simply no fat to cut, largely because of a statewide tax revolt in the 1970s that capped spending for social services, sabotaging America's former leading school system.

Revolt? Sabotaging? Hey, UK...it is called WE THE PEOPLE. Finally they realized in CA how they were getting ripped off in taxes!!

[visualops]

Instead of firing teachers, cut administrative staff and salaries.
Instead of cutting programs, cut on new buildings.

Here they are always crying about money for schools, but administrative costs and pork take a disproportionate amount of the money. While they whine about all sorts of things, my daughter's high school has only a part-time guidance counselor, and meanwhile they build an $8.5 million new elementary school.
There is plenty of money if you are fiscally responsible.
The same goes for California.