For Immediate Release
California Suburban School Districts React to Governor Newsom’s Proposed Budget
Sacramento – On behalf of the California Association of Suburban School Districts (CALSSD), the following school district leaders offered reaction to Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget released today.
“The Governor’s school reopening grant plan is well-intentioned but poses significant implementation challenges. We look forward to examining the details of the Governor’s proposed budget and learning more about how the vaccination and school reopening plans are intended to be implemented, given that the costs of taking on new health-related responsibilities will be extraordinarily high. The requirement for new collective bargaining agreements in particular makes participation in this grant program a challenge. Districts and labor partners spent significant time and effort reaching agreements earlier this year. The grant program includes new criteria, higher COVID-19 rates and real increases in COVID-19 testing. We look forward to the state accelerating vaccinations for those working in our schools in order to return to in-person learning as quickly as possible while protecting the health of our students, staff, and communities.”
– Dr. Sara Noguchi, Ed.D., Superintendent Modesto City Schools
“We appreciate the Governor’s focus on providing additional funding for mental health services, summer school and targeted learning loss efforts. Meeting the needs of students that have suffered learning loss as a result of school closures and the dramatic reduction to in-person learning is a top priority at each district in the California Association of Suburban School Districts.
“Additionally, we are glad that the Governor proposed $250 million to support teacher and staff recruitment. Even before the COVID crisis, California was facing a serious teacher and staff shortage. Concerns about COVID-19 risks, the stresses of shifting to distance learning, and the aging of our teacher population are expected to result in a huge bubble of teacher retirements. Ensuring that our schools are staffed with talented educators is fundamental to our mission of preparing all students for successful futures.”
– Ron Carruth, Superintendent El Dorado Union High School District
“We applaud Governor Newsom for proposing $4.6 billion for extended learning time and additional interventions to address learning loss and accelerate learning for students who have fallen behind. We encourage the Governor and the Legislature to approve flexible use of these funds so districts can tailor the interventions most effectively to address local priorities.
“We are also happy to see the Governor’s proposal to provide additional funding for student mental health and especially the funding to schools to promote partnerships and augment grants between school and community mental health services are an important investment in our students’ overall well-being and social and emotional growth and development. This increased investment at a time that many of our students are facing extraordinary stress and anxiety will be money well spent.”
– James Hammond, the Superintendent of Ontario-Montclair School District
“Given the impact of the pandemic on Californian’s health and to our economy, we are relieved that state revenues are in better shape than expected when the current budget was enacted and pleased to see the Governor proposed $85.8 billion to fund public education. However, schools are facing extraordinary challenges in meeting student and community needs: addressing student learning loss, revamping school facilities and practices to allow for the safe return to in-person instruction, and new public health responsibilities related to COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.
Meeting the needs of students that have suffered learning loss as a result of school closures and the shift to distance learning is a top priority at each district in the California Association of Suburban School Districts.”
– Dr. Armina Gharpetian, Board President, Glendale Unified School District
The California Association of Suburban School Districts (CALSSD) is a statewide coalition of districts that advocates for policies and funding to improve education for students in suburban schools.
Member districts include:
Carlsbad Unified School District * El Dorado Union High School District * Elk Grove Unified School District * Folsom Cordova Unified School District * Fremont Union High School District * Glendale Unified School * District Irvine Unified School District * Laguna Beach Unified School District * Las Virgenes Unified School * District Madera Unified School District * Modesto City Schools * Oceanside Unified School District * Ontario-Montclair School District * Palo Alto Unified School District * Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District * Poway Unified School District * Rocklin Unified School District * Roseville City School District * Rowland Unified School District * San Juan Unified School District * Santa Barbara Unified School District * Santa Clara Unified School District * Tustin Unified School District * Vista Unified School District
Modesto City Schools, Dr. Sara Noguchi, EdD Superintendent, serves as the Lead District for CALSSD
For more information, contact Andrea Ball at andrea@ballfrostgroup.com