Record funding for public schools and colleges

SACRAMENTO — CTA President E. Toby Boyd issued the following statement in response to Governor Newsom’s May Revise State Budget proposal:

“Educators welcome the very good news of robust revenues due to a strong economy and a budget proposal that would bring record funding for our public schools and community colleges. Our schools and students are still reeling from the pandemic and the inequities it exposed and this May Revise provides added hope that California’s 6 million students will be closer to having the resources they need to succeed. We are especially appreciative of the governor’s proposals to significantly increase LCFF base funding beyond a cost-of-living adjustment and ensure school districts are not penalized for increased absences due to COVID-related student absences in the current school year. This will ensure our schools have the resources and stability they need to better serve students.

“Last year, California led the nation by investing $3 billion – more than any other state – in transforming its high poverty public schools into community schools. Today, we commend Governor Newsom for doubling down on that commitment and proposing an additional $1.5 billion for these transformative schools, which provide an evidence-based approach for addressing inequities through family engagement, community partnerships and shared decision-making.

“In the midst of a statewide teacher shortage, we appreciate proposals to address teacher recruitment and retention as well as a proposed $8 billion discretionary block grant fund to help school districts with rising costs and increased student needs and to help retain staff. And yet, we know that we have not yet reached the full funding potential for California’s schools. Our goal should be mirroring our Top 5 status as a global economy with being Top 5 in per pupil spending.

“As California moves to adopt a final budget by mid-June, we look forward to working with the Legislature and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins and the governor to ensure our students have the funding and resources they need to succeed.”

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