Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1470295
CTA State Council of Education in May was an action- packed a•air — the first general session alone saw powerful presentations honoring Pride and Asian Pacific American Heritage months, African American history (focused on Martin Luther King Jr.) and Black Lives Matter, and the late CTA board member Jerry Eaton. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond also made an appear- ance and was met with enthusiasm by delegates who appreciate his work sup- porting our students and public schools. CTA President E. Toby Boyd struck an upbeat note in his speech to delegates, praising educators for always rising to take action to support students, families and communities, and each other. He also talked about the good news in Governor Gavin Newsom's May Revision of the state budget, where pre-K-12 and community colleges would receive a record $128 billion in the 2022-23 school year — $20 billion more than was proposed in January and $35 billion more than the current budget. While noting that while much of the increases are in one-time funding, he said California is moving in the right direction in per-student spending. "California has the fifth largest economy in the world. There's no reason our schools shouldn't have the highest per-pupil funding in the country," Boyd said. Newsom is also proposing an additional $1.5 billion in the ongoing e•ort to transform high-poverty public schools into community schools. (California led the nation last year with its $3 billion investment in community schools.) CTA locals and partners are already working hard to ensure community schools are done right, with educators, stu- dents, parents and community members leading the charge from the ground up. (See our story on page 26.) "We're on the precipice of historical change here, change that will have a lasting impact on our communities because it engages students, parents and families and improves student learning," Boyd said. Boyd drew attention to the social jus- tice challenges educators contend with, particularly in attempts to bury history and truth about race in America, and in a rise in attacks on efforts to support LGBTQ+ students. But he was optimistic about the future. "Harvey Milk once said, 'Hope is being able to see that there is light despite the darkness,'" Boyd said. "CTA members, you are that light; let's not let the darkness get in our way!" Elections matter Council delegates also considered current legislation, including candidates and bills on the June primary ballot, and took the following positions on November ballot measures: • Art & Music in Schools — Support • Living Wage Act — Support • Plastic Waste Reduction — Support • Stop Big Tobacco Referendum — Support • Online & Mobile Sports Betting — Oppose • Pandemic Warning System — Oppose • Clean Cars & Air Act — Oppose Ready for Change CTA State Council looks ahead to a bright future for our students CTA President E. Toby Boyd addresses State Council. "California has the fifth-largest economy in the world. There's no reason our schools shouldn't have the highest per pupil funding in the country." —CTA President E. Toby Boyd 48 cta.org CTA & You