‘A strong commitment to the education and support of all California students at all stages in their lives’

BURLINGAME – On the California Day of the Teacher, CTA President E. Toby Boyd issued the following statement in response to Governor Newsom’s public education proposals announced today prior to the May Revise announcement Friday:

“After a tough pandemic year that has tested us all, we welcome Governor Newsom’s budget proposals for the historic commitment to public education and the support California students need at all stages in their lives. The pandemic made clear that living in the state with the fifth largest economy in the world doesn’t mean all students in our schools and communities have the resources and services they need to succeed. We commend the Governor’s proposals for investing in mental health as well as social and family supports, including the prioritization of establishing community schools for this coming year and beyond. We appreciate the proposed investments in teacher training, efforts to support educators in high-needs schools, and resources to hire additional teachers, nurses and counselors. Mental health, viruses like COVID and other ailments don’t pick the school or campus that is staffed with nurses or counselors. We need trained professionals in each and every school site to address the needs of students in real time. We also commend the Governor for recognizing the importance of a long-term commitment to our youngest learners and to improving school readiness. Access to early childhood education and transitional kindergarten for all students is essential to giving students a good head start. We look forward to reviewing the details of the proposals announced today, the full budget plan on Friday, and to working with lawmakers as a final budget is adopted in mid-June.”

###

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