Governor’s 2021-22 Proposed K-12 Education Budget
The Budget proposes a very large increase in K-12 education funding contingent on schools reopening for in class instruction and taking big steps to correct for the learning losses associated with remote learning for the past year of Covid pandemic. State funding for schools will increase to $86 billion, an increase of $15 billion. The state is also increasing school funding by an added $3 billion in a one time supplement and a one time contribution to CalSTRS and CalPERS for public school employees.
The budget allocates $2 billion one time to schools that reopen for in person student education. It is focused on schools with high percentages of low income students, foster care youth and English language learners.
The budget allocates $4.6 billion one time to help with learning loss over the past year, focused on low income families, foster youth, homeless youth and English language learners.
The most recent federal funds will add $6.4 billion to public schools, 90% is targeted to Title 1 schools.
Funding per pupil will be $18,000 of which $12,648 is Prop 98 funds.
The budget proposes a one time supplementary payment to schools of $2.2 billion and repeal of the requirement for supplementary budget payments to schools. The budget also proposes to buy down schools contribution requirements to CalPERS (25% to 23%) and CalSTRS (18% to 16%) for one year at a cost of $1.15 billion.
The budget does not include a hold harmless clause for declines in ADA enrollment for the coming year as it did for the past year of Covid pandemic generated declines in school enrollment. In other words kids will need to be in their seats in the school buildings for the next budget year for the schools to get paid for them.
The budget includes $315 million for educator professional development as to how to accelerate student learning to make up for the last lost year of in person learning. The budget includes $225 million to improve the teacher pipeline.
Districts must help all high school seniors complete the FAFSA applications.
The budget includes $265 million one time for expansion of community schools (i.e. schools offering integrated wrap-around services of health, mental health and education).
The budget includes $400 million for MediCal managed care health plans to increase prevention and early intervention mental health services for students and $50 million for schools and county mental health agencies to increase mental health services to students in the school settings.
The budget includes $250 million to expand TK (transition to Kindergarten) for 4 year olds and public pre-school for 3 year olds.
The budget allocates $1.5 billion in school bond funding for new construction or modernization of school facilities (including charter schools).
Prepared by: Lucien Wulsin
Dated: 1/29/21