CSBA Outlines Bold Move to Fund Schools at National Average
CSBA outlines a new vision for the Local Control Funding Formula and how it can lead to well funded public schools equipped to meet 21st Century learning needs
WEST SACRAMENTO—According to a survey released this week by the Public Policy Institute of California, six out of 10 Californians, once again, do not believe that public schools have enough funding to prepare students for college, the workforce and beyond. And, they’re right. California public schools rank 47th out of the 50 states in per-pupil spending. Fortunately, the California School Boards Association (CSBA) has proposed a way to change that through a new vision for the implementation of the Governor’s Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). In two reports, produced by CSBA in concert with a well-regarded school finance expert and released to the governor and members of the Legislature, the association proposes alternatives to fund public schools at the national average through a reprioritization of the LCFF allocation.
“CSBA supports the concept of the LCFF. But our full support hinges on the Legislature’s ability to provide adequate base funding, which is vital to sustain and grow programs that foster academic success for all students,” said Cindy Marks, CSBA president.
According to CSBA’s report, over the next seven years the proposed implementation of LCFF will not restore funding to schools as promised. In fact, schools will only see about half of the $10 billion owed them in base funding. Sixty percent of the LCFF funds will be directed to Supplemental/Concentration grants to support the system’s most at-risk students—including English-language learners, low-income student and those in the foster care system.
“CSBA supports the concept of Supplemental/Concentration grants targeting the state’s neediest students. However, this funding cannot come at the expense of adequate base funding for schools,” said Vernon Billy, CSBA executive director.
According to CSBA’s analysis, most of the $20 billion in cuts from the last five years have been to the base, resulting in the reduction of programs and services to students, larger class sizes, and layoffs of teachers and campus staff who support instruction and school safety, including librarians, counselors and campus security. The current proposed formula does not restore the base in all schools, and it provides even less money for new students.
“Our greatest concern is that districts will not be getting restored even as the LCFF is being implemented,” Marks added.
CSBA’s reports outline various funding formula scenarios that accelerate the restoration of the base, while prioritizing growth and Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). CSBA’s alternatives propose restoring cuts as a priority while simultaneously implementing LCFF. “Ultimately, we want to see the $20 billion lost to schools in cuts and deferrals in the last five years fully restored through the full implementation of the LCFF. CSBA’s proposals narrow the funding restoration gap,” Marks added.
Yet, even with this reprioritization of the current LCFF, the association predicts that some school districts may not be fully restored. The association is calling on the Legislature to construct an out-of-formula add-on provision to fully restore all school district budgets to 2007-08 funding levels.
“Adequate funding is the key to the future of our K-12 educational system,” said Marks. Many important initiatives are on the horizon for California’s public schools—including implementation of the Common Core State Standards and new Smarter Balanced assessment system in 2014. Both initiatives will change the delivery of instruction to students, necessitate an increased investment in professional development for teachers and school staff, and require the acquisition of technology to advance student learning and to support new authentic assessments. “Both of these statewide endeavors face insurmountable obstacles to full implementation without adequate funding. As currently proposed, the LCFF doesn’t fund what we are doing now let alone provide the resources needed to implement Common Core or Smarter Balanced. It’s time for the Legislature to prioritize our schools and fund our K-12 education system at the national average. CSBA’s proposals will get us there!” Marks concluded.
CSBA is the non-profit education association representing the elected officials who govern public school districts and county offices of education.With a membership of nearly 1,000 educational agencies statewide, CSBA brings together school governing boards, and district and county office administrators to advocate for effective policies that advance the education and well-being of the state’s more than 6 million school-age children.
www.csba.org