Overshadowing gains made for public schools, Gov. Newsom and Legislature withhold nearly $4 billion from voter-approved minimum public school funding guarantee and strip authority from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction

BURLINGAME: California Teachers Association President David Goldberg released the following statement regarding the State Budget announcement:

“At a time when both public schools and the voting rights of our communities face growing attacks from the federal government, California lawmakers should be standing up for our students and exercising the democratic principles that have made California the nation’s progressive leader. Ignoring the state constitution, the Governor and Legislature withheld $3.9 billion from the voter-approved Prop. 98 public school funding minimum. This, while also proposing that the role of the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction ––the role responsible for the California Department of Education–– become an appointed position after millions already voted for candidates in the June primary.”

“We have a responsibility to protect the ability of the state superintendent to do the job that voters elected them to do. Since the creation of the role, California voters have rejected attempts to eliminate or weaken this office by making it a state-appointed position. Time and time again, voters have made it clear that they value an independent and nonpartisan advocate dedicated to strengthening public schools. If the position were to be appointed, it is subject to the political whims of the governor’s office, which puts students, educators, and communities at risk.”

“The 310,000 members of CTA, our allies and our local communities remain resolved to protect public education and constitutionally-guaranteed public school funding with every resource and legal remedy at our disposal.

“The final budget includes a long overdue $2.4 billion increase in special education funding, $1.5 billion in funding for community schools, an increased investment in expanding the teacher pipeline, and a cost-of-living adjustment that totals six percent for local educational agencies (LEAs). Also included is funding for 14 weeks of paid pregnancy leave for educators after years of a hard-fought battle and sponsored legislation AB 65. Educators have been fighting for reproductive justice in our workplaces for years – pushing back against a system that forces women to pay for their own substitute teacher when taking pregnancy leave.

“While there were some wins, California families are living in an era of unprecedented economic uncertainty. The Governor and Legislature have the power to raise revenue and fully fund schools by supporting efforts like CTA’s ongoing initiative to extend the Prop 55 wealth tax. State leadership must prioritize efforts to increase revenue, especially when California boasts the fourth largest economy in the world, yet educators are forced to regularly fight back against layoffs and cuts to their health benefits. This creates classroom instability and hurts students. We are committed to continuing to fight alongside our communities for the fully funded schools California students deserve.

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The 310,000-member CTA is affiliated with the 3-million-member National Education Association