Governor’s budget boosts investment in public schools by $3.2 billion; California still lags most states in public education funding
SACRAMENTO, Calif., (January 7, 2016) – Governor Jerry Brown unveiled a 2016-17 state budget today that continues positive trends for public education, particularly in the area of increased funding for high-need students.
Supported by the ongoing economic recovery, the overall Proposition 98 guarantee would rise to $71.6 billion from $68.4 billion in 2015-16. Total per-pupil spending from Proposition 98 would increase to $10,591, which is $368 more per student than school districts received from Proposition 98 last fiscal year.
“This budget confirms that the Governor’s priorities are in the right place with regard to education and continues the progress we’ve made in recent years to provide more of the resources necessary to prepare all of our students for college, career and community success,” explained CSBA Vice President Mike Walsh who represented CSBA at the budget announcement.
This budget brings implementation of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) to 95 percent completion while identifying several new priorities and programs, such as $1.6 billion for Early Education consolidation and block grants at the district level, $30 million in one-time money for learning and behavioral support systems, $20 million for charter school start-ups to offset decreased federal monies and $7.3 million in Proposition 47 funding for truancy and dropout prevention. Career and Technical Education will receive $300 million in 2016-17 as dictated by the terms of a three-year, $900 million investment outlined in the 2015-16 budget.
“Prioritizing investment in schools is critical since California continues to rank near the bottom of all states in terms of school funding, staffing, and the resources we provide our students,” Walsh said. “We’re hopeful that the Governor and Legislature recognize that even greater support is needed to ready our students for the challenges of the 21st Century and we look forward to working with them to increase investment in California’s children.”
For a summary of the 2016-17 California budget, please visit: www.ebudget.ca.gov.
About CSBA
The California School Boards Association (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 district governing boards and county boards of education to advocate for effective policies that advance the education and well-being of the state’s more than 6 million school-age children. CSBA provides policy resources and training to members, and represents the statewide interests of public education through legal, political legislative, community and media advocacy.
###