Category Archives: Budget

Statement on Governor Newsom’s Proposed 2022-23 Budget – California Budget & Policy Center

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The California Budget & Policy Center, a nonpartisan, research and analysis nonprofit committed to advancing public policies that improve the lives of Californians, released the following statement from Executive Director Chris Hoene following the release of Governor Newsom’s proposed 2022-23 state budget:

“Urgent funding and support for the ongoing public health and economic needs of Californians as proposed by Governor Newsom are critical as each day shows us that COVID-19 and its consequences are far from over for children, families, workers, and adults of all ages. It’s fiscally prudent and essential for the governor and Legislature to use the state’s strong fiscal conditions to ensure every Californian — not just corporations and the wealthy — can be healthy and thrive.

Source: Statement on Governor Newsom’s Proposed 2022-23 Budget – California Budget & Policy Center

SPI Responds to Governor’s Proposed 2022 Budget – Year 2022 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today issued the following statement in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed education budget for the fiscal year 2022–23:

“This once-in-a-lifetime pandemic has created extraordinary challenges for our students, families, and educators. We must now meet those challenges and continue to transform California schools. The Governor’s proposed budget will almost triple the amount of per-pupil investment from a decade ago and will allow the state to address historic inequities, learning loss, and the social-emotional needs of our students. I want to thank the Governor for the attention and focus on our students and schools in a time when we need all the resources possible to help students heal, recover, and thrive.

“As with last year, California continues to need increased investments in mental health to address the severe trauma our students have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which we know will have a lasting impact on their ability to learn and succeed through the rest of their lives. The Governor’s budget proposal aligns with and reflects many of the CDE’s priorities and my priorities.

Source: SPI Responds to Governor’s Proposed 2022 Budget – Year 2022 (CA Dept of Education)

Vacaville trustees to hear updates on future growth, school facilities costs that approach $600M – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

The school board will take a look Thursday at future school site projects that come with an estimated cost of nearly $600 million.

The chief facilities, maintenance and operations 0fficer, Daniel Banowetz, will present the final draft of the district’s five-year Master Facilities Plan – a program of work that inlcudes an educated wish list of sorts for future projects.

Vacaville-area voters passed Measure A in 2014, a $194 million general obligation bond, to pay for technology upgrades, facility renovations and new construction within the Vacaville School District.

Source: Vacaville trustees to hear updates on future growth, school facilities costs that approach $600M

CA districts anticipate major hits to their 2022-23 budgets as enrollments drop – Times-Herald

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By Ali Tadayon, EdSource

Despite this year’s return to in-person learning, districts throughout the state are seeing major declines in both enrollment and average daily attendance and fear the reductions could result in significant funding cuts next school year.

Without state intervention, many districts face substantial cuts in state funding and could be forced to make significant budget cuts in the 2022-23 school year due to a fall in enrollment and attendance to which funding is tied. Districts’ baseline funding depends on the number of students enrolled, minus the daily average number of absent students.

Source: California districts anticipate major hits to their 2022-23 budgets as enrollments drop – Times-Herald

Solano Board of Education approves $1.07M in pandemic relief spending – Daily Republic

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By Matt Miller

The Solano County Office of Education’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously Wednesday to approve the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Plan.

The nearly $1.07 million in pandemic relief comes from funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. The funds address students’ academic, social, emotional and mental health needs as well as alleviating gaps that existed before and may be worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Source: Solano Board of Education approves $1.07M in pandemic relief spending

Solano Board of Education to consider plan to spend $1.07M in pandemic relief – Daily Republic

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The Solano County Office of Education will conduct its regular meeting of the Board of Education at 6 p.m. Wednesday to consider how best to spend nearly $1.07 million in pandemic relief funds.

The meeting will be take place virtually.

Members of the public may attend via the Zoom webinar format, or by telephone. The links are available on the Solano County Office of Education website, www.solanocoe.net/agendasminutes.

The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Plan for pandemic funds from the American Rescue Plan Act is among the unfinished business to be discussed, and how the money will be utilized.

Source: Solano Board of Education to consider plan to spend $1.07M in pandemic relief

Vaca board balks at $500,000 plan to address staffing shortage at school sites – Daily Republic

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By Katy St. Clair

School board members balked Thursday at a plan to spend up to $500,000 with a national firm to provide teachers and related professionals during the current school year to blunt a shortage of staff.

The matter was the only item on the agenda for a special meeting that began after the regular board meeting Thursday had ended.

Source: Vaca board balks at $500,000 plan to address staffing shortage at school sites

How California plans to deter costly special education disputes – Times-Herald

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By Carolyn Jones, EdSource

The threatened deluge of post-pandemic special education litigation may be averted — or at least minimized— by a new initiative in California encouraging parents and schools to resolve disputes before heading to court.

The state budget, signed Friday by Gov. Gavin Newsom, sets aside $100 million for resolving special education conflicts between parents and school districts, which escalated during remote learning.

The money will go toward outreach, such as brochures, meetings and presentations, to help parents and school staff understand the rights outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the federal law that requires districts to educate students of all abilities. The goal is to improve communication and build trust between parents and schools, so conflicts can be resolved quickly and more easily.

Source: How California plans to deter costly special education disputes – Times-Herald

SPI Applauds 2021-22 Education Budget – Year 2021 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond praised Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of the 2021–22 state budget bills and trailer bills, which include key investments in areas the State Superintendent championed before the pandemic disrupted public education. These investments provide the resources schools desperately need to recover and to build back better.

“COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on our economy, and we are grateful that this budget recognizes that investments in public education will be a critical driver to our state’s rebound,” said Thurmond. “Coming off the most difficult year for education in our lifetime, historic funding levels to the state and education will enable us to recover, accelerate learning, and build back better—with specific attention to student mental health and closing opportunity gaps that disproportionately affected students of color, students with disabilities, English learners, and students in low-income households.

“I echo our Governor, who announced that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest in California’s future and expand opportunities for every child across the state, with $123.9 billion to reduce barriers and increase opportunities from transitional kindergarten through community college. In this year’s budget, our Proposition 98 funding for TK to 12—money going to our schools and classrooms—went from $69.3 billion in 2020–21 to $80.4 billion this year, almost a 30 percent increase over last year.

Source: SPI Applauds 2021-22 Education Budget – Year 2021 (CA Dept of Education)

Fairfield-Suisun trustees hear overview of newly adjusted school budget – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

The school district budget has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for the past year, Laneia Grindle, assistant superintendent of Business Services, said Thursday during a meeting with the Fairfield- Suisun School District governing board.

Her comment came as she presented an updated budget report to the board.

The estimates are more favorable now than earlier projections, she said.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun trustees hear overview of newly adjusted school budget

In-person school returning, with technological support – Daily Republic

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By Matt Miller

Students will soon return to school, be required to wear masks – at least at the outset – while options of independent learning will continue and the state works to address the digital needs for all Californians.

Those were the topics discussed Tuesday night at a virtual town hall put on by Sen. Bill Dodd and broadcast live on Sonoma TV and KSVY radio in Sonoma, and on local social media channels.

Joining Dodd was California Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond, Sunne Wright McPeak, president and CEO of the California Emerging Technology Fund, and Lisette Estrella-Henderson, Solano County superintendent of schools.

Source: In-person school returning, with technological support

Fairfield-Suisun school trustees hear proposed budget summary for coming year – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

The Fairfield-Suisun School District should start the year with a bit more money set aside than is required by the state but will have to keep a watchful eye in coming years when budget cuts may be required.

Trustees heard a presentation on a draft of the budget for the 2021-22 school year when they met Thursday.

Laneia Grindle, director of Fiscal Services, said the budget is based on the governor’s proposed budget, which means it might be revised over the next month and a half.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun school trustees hear proposed budget summary for coming year

Travis schools budget plan – with $1.38M in red ink – open to public comment – Daily Republic

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By Glen Faison

The Travis School District board will hear public comment Tuesday on the proposed 2021-22 fiscal year budget, and will consider approving the certificated salary schedule including a 183-day work calendar.

A staff report on the budget proposal shows more than $68.33 million in general fund revenue and nearly $69,021 in spending. The approximate $1.38 million in red ink is driven by $1.55 million in deficit spending in the district’s unrestricted funds, partially offset by a surplus of $171,000 in the district’s restricted funds.

Source: Travis schools budget plan – with $1.38M in red ink – open to public comment

Four things to know about the California budget deal – The Reporter

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By Laurel Rosenhall, CalMatters

With a deluge of dollars flowing into California’s coffers from state taxpayers and Uncle Sam, Democratic leaders in the Legislature have agreed on a budget plan that would spend slightly less than what Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed, while still pouring billions of dollars into helping Californians recover from the pandemic.

The $267.1 billion plan the Assembly and Senate announced Tuesday largely mirrors the proposals Newsom laid out last month in his $267.8 billion budget. It embraces Newsom’s “Golden State Stimulus,” which will send at least $500 to every household that makes as much as $75,000 a year. It would pour even more into grants to help small businesses and into payments toward unemployment insurance. But it would launch fewer new social programs than the Democratic governor proposed.

Source: Four things to know about the California budget deal – The Reporter

Fairfield-Suisun school board OKs plan that identifies nearly $8M in possible cuts – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Trustees of Fairfield and Suisun City schools gave the go-ahead last week for a 2021-2022 budget priorities plan that was put on hold earlier this year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The projected budget for 2021-2022 includes nearly $203.183 million in attendance-based state revenue. That’s compared to just more than $195.561 million for the current academic year that ends June 30.

The district has identified $4.355 million in cuts that can be quickly implemented if needed at the start of the coming school year July 1. About $500,000 would come from what’s paid in retiree benefits. The district also reported some costs that were greater than anticipated and student-based funding that will fall short of projections.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun school board OKs plan that identifies nearly $8M in possible cuts

TUSD leaders hear reports on school reopenings, budget, enrollment – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

At a regular governing board meeting Tuesday, Travis Unified leaders heard an update about learning and reopening district schools amid the pandemic, an overview of the budget and enrollment projections and an update about Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed $227 billion 2021-22 budget, which includes $90 billion for K-14 education.

Since the updates and reports were informational items, no action was taken during the 6 p.m. meeting, which was held online.

Sue Brothers, assistant superintendent for educational services, updated the five-member board on learning and reopening, ending her slide presentation with “next steps,” which included a “family choice” between hybrid, meaning some in-person instruction coupled with distance learning, or continuing with distance learning. She indicated that the information would be sent to families to “consider what is best for their children.” Families will respond online, a date to be determined.

Source: TUSD leaders hear reports on school reopenings, budget and enrollment projections – The Reporter

FSUSD official: State’s 2021-22 budget presents challenges – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

A Fairfield-Suisun Unified official says that while Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed $227 billion 2021-2022 budget “is not without its challenges,” which include deferral of payments from the state to the district, it requires attention to a “critical cash management” in the coming months.

In a press release and an interview earlier this week with The Reporter, Laneia Grindle, director of fiscal services for Solano County’s largest district, said there is good news, too, even amid the pandemic and the virtual learning model.

In a Jan. 8 statement about the new budget, Newsom promised a commitment to “equity in and for our school communities,” reflected by the highest level of K-14 school funding in the state’s history, $90 billion, and targets the “inequitable impacts of the pandemic on schools and families,” including $2 billion to support a safe return to in-person instruction, $4.6 billion to help students recover from the pandemic’s impacts, and $400 million for school-based mental health services.

Source: FSUSD official: State’s 2021-22 budget presents challenges – The Reporter

Fairfield-Suisun board hears overview of governor’s proposed school budget – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

A review last week of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget by the Fairfield-School School District shows both cause for optimism and concern.

Staff shared highlights of the governor’s 2020-21 budget plan for the coming year at the school board meeting Thursday. The discussion was cut short due to time limits for virtual meetings.

Michelle Henson, assistant superintendent of Business Services, gave the presentation, which showed that the past year’s $5.6 billion state surplus is gone and the budget reflects a $54.4 billion deficit.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun board hears overview of governor’s proposed school budget

Thurmond’s Statement on Governor’s Proposed Budget – Year 2021 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today issued the following statement in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed education budget for the fiscal year 2021–22:“

At a time when a global pandemic has created extraordinary challenges for our students, families, and educators, the weeks and months ahead represent the most important moment for public education in a lifetime. The investments we choose must help our schools urgently and immediately recover from this crisis and accelerate learning for the students and families hardest hit by a global pandemic that has deepened historic inequities. Our priorities should not only help our schools emerge safely from the impacts of COVID-19, but should immediately double down on our efforts to level the playing field for a generation of students.

“I want to thank Governor Gavin Newsom for proposing a budget that—until our educators, school employees and communities are vaccinated—addresses main areas of need as public schools consider how to safely resume in-person instruction. Today’s budget proposal also represents a strong start at tackling the growing access and learning gaps experienced most severely among our students of color, low-income households, children with disabilities, and students learning English.

Source: Thurmond’s Statement on Governor’s Proposed Budget – Year 2021 (CA Dept of Education)

Parents must have a say in districts’ distance learning plans under new California law – The Reporter

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By John Fensterwald

Dissatisfied with the uneven quality of distance learning among school districts after they closed in March, Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature established minimum requirements for the next school year in legislation accompanying the 2020-21 budget.

For many districts, the school year will begin next month. With Covid-19 infection rates and deaths rising, some districts, including the state’s largest, announced this week they’ll open solely with remote learning or hybrid instruction, with some in-person and some remote teaching.

The minimum requirements include ensuring every student is equipped with a computer and internet access, taking daily attendance and interacting with students in some form every day. Proponents of the standards say they’re pleased the Legislature acted but haven’t given up lobbying for additional requirements, particularly more extensive online teaching.

Source: Parents must have a say in districts’ distance learning plans under new California law – The Reporter