Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1491904
P R U D E N T P L A N N I N G and prioritizing are helping keep the promise of equitable access to a quality public education and resources for all California students in the proposed 2023-24 State Budget, released by Gov. Gavin Newsom in early January. Despite a $22.5 billion shortfall, the governor is con- tinuing to invest in education, meaning that local school districts will be able to focus on implementing recent investments, expanding learning opportunities for all stu- dents and continuing to recover from the pandemic. "CTA commends the governor for prioritizing public education, students and families in the face of a $22.5 billion budget shortfall," President E. Toby Boyd says. ""Gov. Newsom has continued his commitment to support California's public schools, from the historic investment in community schools and transitional kindergarten to pro- viding more resources for special education, school meals and social-emotional support." The proposed 2023-24 Proposition 98 Guarantee for pre-K-12 schools and community colleges is projected to be more than $108 billion, with no significant reductions and the highest funded cost of living adjustment (COLA) since the late 1970s — 8.13 percent. Education highlights of the governor 's proposed budget include: • Proposition 98: Projected to be $108.8 billion, a decrease of approximately $1.5 billion from the current year 's budget. • Proposition 98 Rainy Day Fund: Prop. 2, enacted by voters in 2014, established the Public School System Stabilization Account, or Prop. 98 Rainy Day Fund. The budget includes revised payments of $3.7 billion in 2021-22, $1.1 billion in 2022-23, and $365 million in 2023-24 into the Prop. 98 Rainy Day Fund, for a revised balance of more than $8.5 billion at the end of 2022-23. • Per-Pupil Spending for TK-12 Education: Total funding of $128.5 billion ($78.7 billion General Fund and $49.8 billion other funds) for all TK-12 education programs. Despite a slight decrease in overall funding, per-student spending increases to its highest level ever, due to declining enrollment. TK-12 per-pupil funding totals $15,261 Prop. 98 ($2,258 above the 2022 Budget Act) and $20,855 per pupil when accounting for all funding sources ($2,868 above the 2022 Budget Act). K-12 Spending Proposals • Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF): The Gov- ernor 's budget includes $4.2 billion in ongoing Prop. 98 funding to provide an 8.13 percent COLA. This increase brings total LCFF funding to $80.1 billion. The Governor 's budget proposes $300 million in ongoing Prop. 98 to establish an equity multiplier as an add-on to the LCFF. These funds will be allocated to local educational agencies (LEAs) based on school- site eligibility and will be targeted to support the highest-needs schools in the state. • Literacy: Includes $250 million in one-time Prop. 98 funding to build on the existing Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists Grant Program, which funds high-poverty schools to train and hire literacy coaches. Also includes $1 million to create a Literacy Roadmap to help educators navigate these resources. • Arts and Cultural Enrichment: The Arts and Music in Schools Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act (Prop. 28) requires $941 million to be allocated to schools to increase arts instruction and programs in public education beginning in 2023-24. Also includes $100 million in one-time Prop. 98 funding to provide high school seniors with access to cultural enrichment experiences across the state by facilitating museum Despite $22.5 billion shortfall, proposed budget keeps promise of equitable access for all students By Julian Peeples Governor Prioritizes Education State Budget: 30 cta.org Advocacy