Topics School Finance

August 15, 2019

Students return to dramatically different Paradise

District employees and volunteers have been working seven days a week since the Camp Fire, to bring the students back to Paradise schools.

August 5, 2019

Donations help teachers’ dreams come true in Oakland, across the country

DonorsChoose.org matches donors, foundations and businesses to teachers throughout the country to provide supplies and other needed resources.

July 31, 2019

Recognizing regional costs in school funding formula is both equitable and affordable

Current formula hurts children from low-income families in high-cost regions.

July 30, 2019

LA Unified’s spending and accountability plan should be rejected and rewritten, says advocates’ complaint

Public Advocates argues the district doesn’t show how $1.2 billion in extra funding will benefit English learners and low-income students.

July 18, 2019

Amid budget deficits, Bay Area district braces for cuts, spending reserves

Like Oakland Unified, West Contra Costa faces budget deficits and sought help from its county office of education.

July 9, 2019

Gov. Newsom’s state budget resolves 3 California school boards’ lawsuits

The CSBA sued after the Legislature squeezed funding for school districts by revising what programs fall under Proposition 98.

July 3, 2019

Oakland Unified hires interim CFO to fix fiscal problems as it seeks a permanent financial chief

The district is hiring Luz Cazares, an experienced business official, to implement best practices and lay the groundwork for a new CFO.

June 28, 2019

Oakland Unified board approves budget despite doubts about its accuracy

Board members also wonder whether voters would approve new tax measures next year, after grand jury report blasts district for fiscal mismanagement.

June 26, 2019

How to close schools? Oakland finds out just how tough that can be

Fewer students and budget woes lead the Oakland Unified School District to propose closing or merging schools amid public opposition.

June 20, 2019

$13 billion state bond for school construction targeted for 2020 California ballot

The author of the bill, Patrick O'Donnell, says he is open to examining the fairness of the school modernization program's funding.

June 14, 2019

Pension relief, special education funding highlight Gov. Newsom's budget

Governor goes beyond minimum required under Proposition 98 to absorb $3.1 billion in districts' pension payments and address teacher shortage.

June 11, 2019

Statewide messages in aftermath of LA parcel tax’s defeat

The failure of Measure EE underscores how hard it is to capture a two-thirds majority needed for approval of a parcel tax and the challenges ahead to pass a 'split-roll' initiative to raise businesses' property taxes.

John Fensterwald

June 7, 2019

Gov. Newsom’s task force recommends more discretion to deny charter schools

The group reached a consensus on giving school districts the power to consider the “saturation” by and the academic need for charter schools.

John Fensterwald

June 7, 2019

Charter schools cost East Bay district nearly $1,000 per student, report asserts

Charter school association says report, commissioned by the West Contra Costa Unified School District, is “pure propaganda.”

Theresa Harrington

May 29, 2019

Obstacles deter many California child care providers from building, expanding facilities

Proposals by Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislators would provide financial aid and ease the permitting process.