The Honorable Al Muratsuchi
California State Assembly
1021 O Street, Suite 5610
Sacramento, CA 95814
Re: AB 1614 (Muratsuchi) As Introduced January 5, 2022
Position: SUPPORT
Dear Assemblymember Muratsuchi:
The California Association of Suburban School Districts (CALSSD) has reviewed your AB 1614 (Muratsuchi) and taken a position of support. Thank you for authoring this important measure. AB 1614 would increase the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) by $4.2 billion over the statutory cost-of-living adjustment in 2022-23 and provide that the Legislature will strive to reach the top ten states in the country in K-12 per-pupil funding.
CALSSD supports AB 1614 because LCFF did not establish the base grant at a level that allows school districts to meet their costs and expenses for a high-quality core program for all students. LCFF centers decision-making on how funds are utilized to educate students at the local level based on student needs and with strong community input. Based on principles of equity and local control, the formula includes additional resources for students with the greatest needs. However, the LCFF has not kept pace with the massive growth in fixed costs for programs, services, and personnel that are funded from the base grant.
Districts face rising costs in employer pension contributions and health care premiums, utilities, transportation, technology, and special education services in addition to COVID-19 related expenses. Growth in these costs outpaces the LCFF base grant, including cost-of-living adjustments. The impact of these increases has been of even greater magnitude during the pandemic.
Suburban schools serve a diverse population of 2.6 million students in more than 260 school districts in California; this is about equal to the number of students in California’s urban schools. In one-quarter of suburban districts, 75% of all students are eligible for free and reduced-price meals, and in 15% of suburban districts the rates of student homelessness are more than double the statewide rate, indicating financial hardship which may negatively impact student learning. In about 10% of suburban districts, more than one-third of students are English Learners who may need extensive instructional resources. Across these districts, an increase to the LCFF base grant remains a clear budget priority.
If we can be of further assistance, please contact me at (916) 447-8420 or via e-mail at andrea@ballfrostgroup.com.
Sincerely,
Andrea Ball
Legislative Advocate
California Association of Suburban School Districts