The good news: California school funding is about the same as last year.

The bad news: California school funding is about the same as last year.

We are pleased, in this extraordinarily challenging budget climate, that California continues to invest in children and families. However...schools still need more funding.

A big thank you to the Legislature and the Governor for adopting an education budget without severe cuts. We support and deeply appreciate the important investments in equity programs to mitigate learning loss, after-school programs, community schools, special education and the arts.

Extra costs but no extra money

Even before the pandemic, our public schools struggled to make ends meet. They now have extra costs caused by the pandemic but no extra money to pay for them. We anticipate the budget situation next year will be even more difficult.

The state is deferring payments of billions of dollars to schools and the budget is precariously balanced on the hope that the federal government will come to the rescue.

We urge the Governor and legislators to investigate additional sources of revenue. This includes specifically suspending or eliminating tax breaks that may not be meeting California’s current needs. Tax breaks reduce funding for education and other programs that support children and families.

Developing long-term funding solutions should be at the top of the agenda when the legislature returns from its summer recess.