Category Archives: facilities

More than half of California school districts report lead in drinking water

10 Jul
0
More than 2,100 drinking fountains tested positive for lead at 1,300 California schools over the past three years, according to new analysis by the CALPIRG Education Fund, with the health problem encompassing more than half (53 percent) of the state’s school districts. The independent group has also launched an interactive statewide map showing the highest lead levels detected at each school, a project based on the latest publicly available data and stemming from state law requiring public water systems to...

State, local bond measures see newfound struggles in primary election

11 Mar
0
The March 3 primary election results have thus far delivered disappointing results as California districts work to provide students with healthy, safe and modern schools and classrooms. The campaign for Proposition 13 — the largest school facilities bond measure in state history at $15 billion — conceded defeat on March 11 with only 46 percent support. Following suit, a majority of local school district bond measures and parcel taxes are also falling short at the ballot box. CSBA endorsed Proposition...

Career technical education a growing priority for states, study shows

26 Feb
0
State policymakers across the country continue to make career technical education a priority, according to new research from Advance CTE, the Association for Career and Technical Education and the Education Commission of the States. The research found that roughly 60 more policies related to CTE were passed in 2019 than in 2018. In 2019, at least 45 states enacted or passed at least 208 policy actions related to CTE or career readiness through legislation, executive orders, board of education actions...

Polling finds strong support for more funding, school facilities bond

13 Feb
0
A majority of California voters continue to say the state should spend more money on schools, new polling shows, reflecting the severity of chronic underfunding that has left California well below the national average in per-student spending. Additionally, a robust 64 percent of voters support the $15 billion school facilities bond measure on the March 3 ballot. The results from 2,000 registered California voters detailed in “Californians and Public Education: Views from the 2020 PACE/USC Rossier Poll” finds that only...

Strong interest in $250M for CTE; State Allocation Board hears other program updates

29 Jan
0
construction site
California schools continue to show strong interest in offering career technical education opportunities to students, with 282 local educational agencies applying for a piece of $250 million in dedicated facilities funding. The development was shared at the Jan. 22 meeting of the State Allocation Board, which meets monthly at the State Capitol to apportion funds to school districts, act on appeals, and adopt policies and regulations. The $250 million available through the Career Technical Education Program represents the final piece...

School facilities bond measure gains steam; boards can show support with resolution

23 Jan
0
With less than two months until the March 3 primary election, new polling shows that 53 percent of likely voters support a critical state bond measure that would provide $15 billion for facilities at California’s preschools, K-12 schools, community colleges and four-year colleges and universities. The polling from the Public Policy Institute of California also finds that 36 percent of likely voters oppose Proposition 13 and 10 percent are undecided. The survey results represent a noticeable uptick from November 2019,...

CSBA school facilities forum highlights key issues, board member roles

11 Dec
0
From master plans to bond financing to community campaigns, CSBA’s forum on school facilities on Dec. 4 in San Diego dove into the complex picture of school board members’ roles in facilities. A trio of panels included experts from bond campaign, finance and legal firms; construction management and architecture companies; and district officials who shared success stories. The importance of getting a facilities program rolling While largely exploring the technical aspects of facilities, panelists told the audience of more than...

State Allocation Board talks full-day kindergarten program, hears several appeals

9 Jul
0
construction site
The State Allocation Board meets monthly to apportion funds to school districts, act on appeals, and adopt policies and regulations. At its June 26 meeting, Office of Public School Construction staff provided updates on the Full-Day Kindergarten Facilities Grant Program and priority funding apportionments, and three appeals were heard. Full-Day Kindergarten Facilities Grant Program update Lisa Silverman, executive officer of the Office of Public School Construction, reported to the board that the second filing round for Full-Day Kindergarten Facilities Grant...

Together, we can achieve Full and Fair Funding — if we keep the pressure on

26 Jun
0
Last month, I had the great pleasure of addressing thousands of education advocates from across California, including board members, teachers, superintendents, parents and classified staff, at the Day of Action Rally for Education on May 22 at the State Capitol. It was an exciting day that began with a personal meeting with Gov. Gavin Newsom and CSBA representatives including myself, President-elect Xilonin Cruz-Gonzalez, Vice President Tamara Otero, CEO & Executive Director Vernon M. Billy and Assistant Executive Director of Governmental...

Enthusiastic Capitol crowd calls for Full and Fair Funding of California’s public schools

23 May
0
From Humboldt County, Monterey, San Diego and beyond, school leaders converged on Sacramento by the busload on May 22 to make their voices heard and to fight for Full and Fair Funding of California’s public schools. About 200 school board members took that fight to the steps of the State Capitol, where they joined thousands including CSBA staff, the California Teachers Association and other education partners in an afternoon Day of Action Rally for Education. Whether teacher, administrator, school employee,...