LAO releases much-anticipated state budget revenue projections for 2025–26

Slightly higher state revenues driven by continued stock market growth means the LAO’s assessment offers a brighter picture than last year’s dismal forecast, but storm clouds remain on the horizon due to weakness in the overall state economy, the unpredictability of future tax revenues, and fiscal pressures that are problematic for local educational agencies.

Report spotlights need to continue social-emotional services even after federal pandemic funding ends

With Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds that have been essential to local educational agencies’ efforts to support students’ mental health and academic needs running dry, a report by EdTrust calls on state leaders to take stock of what worked and prioritize using […]

Moody’s analysis shows which factors will impact education budgets as ESSER funds delete

With federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding winding down, the resilience of local educational agencies’ budgets will depend on how they generate revenue and on their reserves, according to a Moody’s report released on July 23. Moody’s Ratings — a financial services […]

Survey finds expanded learning opportunities are reaching the students most in need

New survey findings show 97 percent of California local educational agencies and 88 percent of community-based organizations (CBOs) used Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) funds to serve more students either by opening new programs or expanding existing ones. Based on more than 100 surveys and […]

Legislature reaches agreement on statewide school facilities bond; Governor yet to endorse

After months of negotiations, it was announced on June 30 that the State Assembly and Senate reached an agreement on a statewide school facilities bond. Assembly Bill 247, titled the Kindergarten through Grade 12 Schools and Local Community College Public Education Facilities Modernization, Repair, and Safety […]

State’s per pupil spending rose coming out of pandemic, NCES report finds

California was among the three states with the most significant increases in per pupil expenditures between fiscal years 2021 and 2022, according to a first look report on public school revenues and expenditures released by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in May.

Governor and Legislature agree to budget deal

On June 22, Gov. Gavin Newsom and the State Legislature announced an agreement on the state budget that largely reflected the budget proposal adopted by the Legislature earlier this month — but with some important modifications that pose concern for local educational agencies. The inclusion of provisions that were not present or disclosed in earlier summaries reinforced the wisdom of CSBA’s decision to avoid a full endorsement of any budget deals before the exact language of the terms was available.