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Policy & Finance
Topic

School Finance

In passing the Local Control Funding Formula in 2013, the Legislature shifted decision-making back to local districts and steered more money to districts with higher proportions of low-income children and English learners. Proposition 98, adopted in 1988, sets the overall yearly level of K-12 and community college spending through a complex formula tied to the growth in the state economy.

December 10, 2019

Education groups renew call for Newsom to put tax for schools to voters in 2020

A coalition organized by Children Now wants the governor to negotiate with Prop. 13 reformers for one tax initiative on the November ballot.

John Fensterwald
December 5, 2019

California School Boards Association abandons plan to put $15 billion tax on 2020 ballot

To avoid competing tax initiatives benefiting education on the same statewide ballot, it eyes 2022 instead.

John Fensterwald
November 21, 2019

‘Moderate’ funding increase predicted for California schools, community colleges in 2020-21

A recession is still a ways off, says the Legislative Analyst's Office; mandated costs will eat into an estimated $3.4 billion increase.

John Fensterwald
November 19, 2019

Support for school construction bond falls below 50 percent in new poll

If there is confusion over the ballot designation Prop. 13, bond backers say not to worry; the campaign for March measure has yet to begin.

John Fensterwald
November 19, 2019

Supporters urge board to keep East Bay superintendent despite budget crisis

West Contra Costa Unified school board agrees to keep superintendent at the helm while searching for ways to bridge $48 million budget gap.

Theresa Harrington
November 15, 2019

East Bay board may consider firing superintendent amid fiscal crisis

A $48 million budget deficit is threatening the job of Superintendent Matthew Duffy. A special school board meeting on Friday is expected to focus on possible termination of his contract.

Theresa Harrington
November 14, 2019

Pension costs feed resistance to higher school taxes in California county, study finds

An increase in mandated costs has frustrated voters in Marin County, where passing school parcel taxes had been a safe bet until 2016.

John Fensterwald
November 7, 2019

For better or worse, school construction bond on March 2020 ballot will be Prop. 13

Backers and opponents of a $15 billion K-12 and college construction bond are wondering if association with infamous Prop. 13 will affect the vote.

John Fensterwald
November 6, 2019

State audit finds education money not serving high-needs students, calls for changes in funding law

After examining three districts' spending, State Auditor Elaine Howle calls for tighter controls over Local Control Funding Formula.

John Fensterwald
November 4, 2019

Oakland Unified moves forward with school closures despite protests

District officials offer to meet with protesters as Oakland and state teachers' unions echo demands for school closure moratorium until 2022.

Theresa Harrington
October 23, 2019

San Jose school district asks voters to fund employee housing

The East Side Union High School District will put a $60 million general obligation bond on the March 3 ballot to pay for a 100-unit apartment complex for teachers and staff.

Diana Lambert
October 23, 2019

One step closer to what no one wants: dueling tax plans in November 2020

Backers of two competing tax proposals begin gathering signatures; will Gov. Gavin Newsom negotiate a compromise?

John Fensterwald
October 21, 2019

East Bay district struggles with role of tutors in student learning

Bay Area district saved some tutor positions at reduced hours after critics said eliminating the positions would hurt the neediest students.

Theresa Harrington
October 17, 2019

California Teachers Association names new executive director 

The California Teachers Association has named Joe Boyd as its new executive director. The organization represents 310,000 teachers.

Diana Lambert
October 11, 2019

Oakland offers students of closed schools alternatives to merged campuses

A dispute over district plans to merge two schools continues amid a district announcement that it will allow affected students to go to other schools.

Theresa Harrington