CSBA raises concern for Prop 98 funding in May Revise

CSBA raises concern for Prop 98 funding in May Revise<_sc3a_dot _xmlns3a_sc="http://www.sitecore.net/sc">

Unconstitutional Prop 98 manipulation hits for second consecutive year

While the Governor's May Revise Budget attempts to preserve funding for TK-14 schools, one major provision raises our concern: a proposal to allow the state to arbitrarily withhold $1.3 billion from the Proposition 98 school funding guarantee. This is the second consecutive year the budget has contained some form of unconstitutional Prop 98 manipulation. Last year's maneuver is the subject of ongoing CSBA litigation and if this provision is not removed, we may be forced to take similar legal action this year," said CSBA President Dr. Bettye Lusk. "It's also disheartening to see anticipated funding for the Local Control Funding Formula fall by $400 million, or roughly $72 per student based on average daily attendance.

"The proper way to respond to our current budget situation is to uphold Prop 98's constitutional requirements for schools, avoid unfunded mandates, give local educational agencies the flexibility to meet local needs instead of dictating one-size-fits-all programs from Sacramento, and allow schools the time and resources needed to effectively implement ongoing programs before requiring new initiatives. Even in lean times, investing in public schools is California's best economic strategy, so we cannot sidestep constitutional protections for public education nor underfund Prop 98 to offset shortfalls in other sections of the budget."