State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Praises Largest-Ever Support of K–12 Education in Governor Newsom’s Budget Update

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today praised Governor Gavin Newsom’s revised budget for fiscal year 2019–20. “Our Governor just announced the largest-ever investment in K–12 schools, with 45 percent of all proposed increased spending to benefit our schools. We applaud this commitment to public education, especially by adding funding to assist students with the greatest needs. The revision also makes significant investments in the recruitment and retention of qualified teachers, and supporting the financial burdens they face,” he said.

Governor Newsom proposed increasing K–12 education by $4.4 billion in non-Proposition 98 spending for the benefit of our schools, while Prop 98 funding is at $81.1 billion, the most it has been in years.

“I am pleased that Governor Newsom is placing a top priority on education and look forward to a strong, productive partnership with him, the Legislature, and all stakeholders in the next few years that will lift up all of our students by improving our education system and increasing the resources that go to our schools—today’s announcements prove his commitment to increasing funding for public education,” he said.

Other highlights include:

• $696.2 million ongoing money for special education. This is $119.2 million more than was proposed in the Governor’s Budget, and is a 21 percent year-over-year increase.
• $150 million in one-time non-Proposition 98 General Funds.
• $89.8 million one-time non-Proposition 98 General Fund money to help recruit and retain qualified teachers, especially in rural communities, and/or in the areas of special education, STEM, and bilingual assignments.
• $44.8 million one-time non-Proposition 98 General Fund to provide training and resources for classroom educators, including teachers and paraprofessionals, to build capacity around inclusive practices, social emotional learning, computer science, and restorative practices.
• $15 million in broadband infrastructure and updates to ensure all students have access with the growing bandwidth needs of digital learning.
• Several new investments to increase access to subsidized child care for low-income families.
• Specific charter school proposals to prevent families from being wrongfully turned away from the public school of their choice based on academic performance, student characteristic, or special education status.
• Reduction to employer contributions to CalSTRS to provide some immediate fiscal relief to school districts for the rising cost of teacher pensions.

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Tony Thurmond — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100