The results of a state high-risk audit were released Oct. 28 for the California Department of Social Services’ (CDSS) management of federal pandemic-relief funds for two food assistance programs: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program, which issues […]
Author: Kimberly Sellery
Pros and cons of Project Labor Agreements
By Bode Owoyele, CSBA associate general counsel Project Labor Agreements (PLA) are a type of agreement between a project owner or developer and building trade unions, designed to govern the employer–employee relations of the general contractor and all subcontractors in connection with a particular construction […]
School staffing shortages put damper on historic infusion of funds
By CSBA President Dr. Susan Heredia After decades of inadequate funding, it took an unprecedented global pandemic that shut down most schools in California for more than a year to finally receive an infusion of funds that can help us provide the resources for every […]
New guide offers LEAs best practices to improve foster youth outcomes
A new publication released this month from the Alliance for Children’s Rights shares the findings from a multiyear working group of California districts focused on improving educational outcomes for foster youth. “Best Practices Guide for Developing a District System to Improve Education Outcomes for Youth […]
CSBA provides vaccine mandate talking points for trustees
In response to requests from school board trustees around the state asking for support in explaining the state’s vaccine mandate for students, CSBA has prepared talking points for board members to explain and discuss the issue to their communities. There are parents, students, and staff […]
SB 270’s significant penalties explained
On Sept. 27, 2021, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 270, which becomes effective on July 1, 2022. SB 270 modifies California Government Code Section 3558, by placing significant penalties on public agencies, including school districts and county offices of education, that violate the requirement to […]
New CDE enrollment data shows noteworthy new trends
Significant enrollment declines in K-12 schools nationwide have generated conversations around the repercussions they have for public education. According to federal data, K-12 public school enrollment declined 3 percent across the United States over the past year. In May, the California Department of Education released […]
California launches student reading initiative
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond was joined by various California education leaders on Sept. 21 to announce a literacy initiative for the state: By 2026, every child will learn to read by third grade. “We already know that when students learn to read, […]
Clarity on piggyback contracting
On July 7, California’s Office of Public School Construction (OPSC) sent an email blast to school districts and county offices of education regarding the use of “piggyback contracting” in school construction projects. The email reportedly caused confusion, but members should be aware that there has […]
Study on exclusionary discipline shows long-term negative effects on students
A new study from the American Institutes for Research examines the effects of the type and length of suspensions received by middle and high school students’ on their educational outcomes, their same-grade same-school peers’ educational outcomes and school climate. While an abundance of research has […]