Schools state-wide are primed to benefit from Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed $106.8 billion state budget for 2014-15, which will infuse the public education system with an extra $10 billion in funds.
Under the proposed budget released Thursday, funding levels would increase more than $2,188 per student for the 2014-15 school year over 2011-12 levels with that increase climbing to $3,410 per student through 2017-18, according to a press release from the Office of the Governor.
“This reinvestment provides the opportunity to correct historical inequities in school district funding with continued implementation of the Local Control Funding Formula, which directs additional resources to students who need the most support – English language learners, low-income students and foster youth,” reads the release.
State Superintendent Tom Torlakson said the budget proposal demonstrates a “recommitment to ensuring that every child graduates with the tools they need to succeed in a society and economy they will find outside their classrooms.”
“Per-pupil spending continues to climb – with additional funding for the most vulnerable of our students under the Local Control Funding Formula,” Torlakson said. “And schools face the prospect of starting the next school year with billions of dollars of deferrals finally repaid.”
Under LCFF, schools will receive funds based on student demographics. Additionally, the LCCF eliminates revenue limits and most state categorical programs for allocation. However, districts will be held more accountable for where those funds are allocated and how that correlates to student success rates.
State universities will also receive a boost with guaranteed increases in funding of $142.2 million each for the University of California and California State University systems – predicated on a continued freeze on increases in student tuition and fees.
Gov. Brown’s budget proposes to pay off more than $11 billion of a $25 billion wall of debt and builds a lasting rainy day fund with a $1.6 billion deposit while continuing to invest in public schools and expand health care coverage for millions. The debt, which totaled $34.7 billion in 2011, will be eliminated entirely by 2017-18 under the proposed budget.
The budget also proposes:
-$850 million investment of Cap and Trade auction proceeds to support efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, with an emphasis on assisting disadvantaged communities;
-$619 million to help expand water storage capacities, improve drinking water in communities where available supplies are substandard, increase flood protection and increase regional self-reliance
-$815 million package of investment to address critical deferred maintenance projects in state parks, on highways, local streets and roads and at K-12 schools, community colleges, courts, prisons, state hospitals and other state facilities.
-$670 million in new General Fund dollars to expand Medi-Cal benefits, including mental health, substance use disorder, adult dental and specialized nutrition services.
