Educators warn $3.9bn withholding would deepen California school crisis |
California education associations and labor groups are urging state lawmakers to reject Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposal to temporarily withhold $3.9bn in voter-protected school funding, warning the move would worsen teacher shortages, deepen district budget deficits, and threaten education quality across the state. The revised 2026-27 budget proposal would defer funding required under Proposition 98, the 1988 measure that guarantees roughly 40% of California’s general fund for K-12 schools and community colleges. Education groups said the plan would reduce statewide funding by around $643 per student, as districts already face layoffs, school closures, and multimillion-dollar deficits. Members of the Education Coalition, including teachers, school boards, administrators, parent groups, and employee unions, gathered at the state Capitol to oppose what they described as the “unacceptable stripping” of school funding. Education leaders said continued withholding of funds would increase financial instability for districts already dealing with rising costs, staffing shortages, and the expiration of pandemic-era funding. “Every dollar withheld has a consequence for our students,” said Tatia Davenport, chief executive of the California Association of School Business Officials. The Legislature has until mid-June to finalize the state budget.
