Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1337485
W I T H S C H O O L D I S T R I C T S and colleges reeling from COVID-19 impacts, Gov. Gavin Newsom's initial budget proposal of $227 billion for next fiscal year includes record education funding for K-12 schools and commu- nity colleges — $85.8 billion in Proposition 98 guaranteed funding, a $14.9 billion increase from last year. Much of it is one-time funding, but it comes at a time when the resources are needed most. The proposal includes $4.6 billion for summer school and extra learning time to support struggling students, those with special needs, English learners, and those with housing insecurity ; $500 million for educator professional development; $225 million to improve the state's educator pipeline; $700 million to support students struggling with anxiety, depression, stress and other disorders; and an additional $300 million for special education. Fo r c o m m u n ity c o l l e ge s , th e b u d - get proposal includes $250 million for emergency financial aid for students in need and an additional $100 million to support students with housing and food insecurity. "We are encouraged by Gov. Newsom's continued com- mitment to California's students and working families as outlined in his state budget proposal," says CTA President E. Toby Boyd. "e COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the impact of historic disinvestment in California public schools. It is vital that we create safe learning environ- ments for all students, especially the most vulnerable, amid the worst surge of the pandemic yet." e governor's budget includes $2 bil- lion in ongoing Proposition 98 funding to provide a 3.84 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This includes both a 2.31 percent COLA for 2020-21 and 1.5 percent COLA for 2021-22. Per-student spending is projected to be $18,837 in 2020-21 and $18,000 in 2021-22 — the highest level of per -pupil spending in st at e hi stor y. ( Ac c ordi n g to 2 0 1 8 - 1 9 numbers, the most recent available, Cali- fornia ranks 20th in per-pupil spending at $12,879. Estimates for 2020 are $13,200.) e proposal also pays off all but $3.7 billion in defer- rals needed to balance last year's budget. e budget also includes $786 million in new money Record Education Funding in Proposed State Budget Gov. Newsom's budget includes summer school, extra learning time to rebound from COVID-19 By Julian Peeples 38 cta.org Gavin Newsom Advocacy Advocacy