Contact Senate to Win Funds for Vallejo USD
A CTA-backed bill will help the financially troubled Vallejo Unified School District and set a standard for other districts that in the future could be facing fiscal disasters.
SB 1190 by Sen. Wes Chesbro would provide Vallejo with a $60M emergency loan to keep its instructional programs going. It would also establish procedures for operation of the district by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. It is an urgency measure that will take effect as soon as it's signed - but it must have a two-thirds majority in the Senate before it goes to the governor.
If you need any more information, please contact Legislative Advocate Sharon Scott Dow or GR Communications Consultant Len Feldman at 916.325-1500.
Thank you again for your hard work on behalf of your colleagues on this key issue.
Urge Lawmakers to Approve Vallejo USD Loan Bill
CTA is battling for the approval of a measure that will help a school district in dire financial straits and other districts that could be facing similar circumstances in the future.
SB 1190 by Sen. Wes Chesbro (D-Santa Rosa) would provide emergency funding -- $60 million of it - to the Vallejo Unified School District, which is facing financial bankruptcy. The measure would also establish a procedure for how the Superintendent of Public Instruction should oversee the district's journey back to financial health. The bill is an urgency measure that requires a two-thirds majority in both houses.
SB 1190 would provide the Vallejo district with a $60 million state loan with a 10-year payback period. The bill would also spell out other operational procedures for dealing with the district's financial problems. It would provide for a state administrator from the Superintendent of Public Instruction's office to oversee the district's operations.
The Chesbro bill also includes provisions that require training for the superintendent and school board members aimed at helping them avoid future further poor management decisions like those reportedly responsible for the district's fiscal problems.
The Chesbro bill has cleared both the Senate and the Assembly, but it is headed back to the Senate for a concurrence or approval vote on the changes made in the Assembly.
Some Key Points on SB 1190
- By providing a desperately needed $60 million emergency loan and stringent accountability provisions, SB 1190 will protect the education of thousands of students in Vallejo.
- Students and teachers should not suffer because of poor management decisions made by district administrators and approved by the local school board.
- The bill will do more than just provide funding. It will provide for management of the district by an administrator from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction's office.
- The bill will also spell out procedures for how the district must proceed to become financially solvent.
- Among other things, the bill requires district officials and the school board to undergo training in financial management skills.
Contact Legislators Quickly
As an urgency bill, SB 1190 will take effect as soon as it is signed. But, as an urgency measure, it also must pass by a two-thirds majority.
To secure that super-majority, it's important to urge all Senators to vote for SB 1190 on the Senate floor.
It will be important to give special attention to members of the Senate Republican Caucus. Their leaders are Senators Dick Ackerman, Jeff Denham, and Bruce McPherson.
Below is the list of members of the Senate Republican Caucus for your easy reference.
For more information, contact CTA Legislative Advocate Sharon Scott Dow or GR Communications Consultant Len Feldman at 916.325.1500.
Contact information for Senate Republican Caucus Members