Record public school funding to address pressing student needs, recruit and retain educators; additional $1.1 billion for community schools

BURLINGAME – CTA President E. Toby Boyd issued the following statement today commending Gov. Gavin Newsom, Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, and the legislature for the state budget agreement that provides much-needed supports for students, prioritizes social emotional learning, and includes funding allocation to attract and retain the quality educators students need and deserve:

“Educators appreciate the work of the governor and the legislature for finalizing a state budget agreement that ensures our six million students are the beneficiaries of California’s robust revenues and very strong economy. More than two years into a pandemic that has exposed existing economic, racial and other divides, this budget agreement continues California’s commitment toward ensuring that all our students, regardless of their race, zip codes, or backgrounds, have the resources they need to succeed. It furthers California’s focus on serving the whole child through additional investments in Special Education, student mental health, school nutrition, home-to-school transportation, transitional kindergarten implementation and expansion, and community schools.

“The significant 13 percent increase to the statewide school funding base through the Local Control Funding Formula will help ensure that school districts are able to recruit and retain qualified educators and provide students with equitable access to resources. Students will also benefit from the unprecedented $7.9 billion, one-time block grant included in this budget agreement that will address COVID-related impacts to learning. This final budget agreement also ensures that school districts are not penalized for COVID-related student absences, which helps ensure stability for our schools and students.

“Last year, California led the nation by investing $3 billion – more than any other state – in transforming its high poverty schools into community schools. This agreement builds on those groundbreaking efforts with an additional $1.1 billion, ensuring that our important community schools work through family engagement, community partnerships and shared decision-making will continue.

“California is a global economic powerhouse and the wealthiest state in the nation. Until our global economic status is matched by top per-pupil revenues, we will not stop advocating for the resources our students need. This budget agreement makes meaningful and important strides toward the goal of ensuring all our students have the equitable resources they need for a strong and successful future.”

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The 310,000-member California Teachers Association is affiliated with the 3-million-member National Education Association.