Officially opening the budget season, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Jan. 8 released the 2021–22 budget proposal, which includes significant investments in school reopening and learning loss mitigation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the ongoing crisis, higher-than-expected revenues will allow for the paying down of most school funding deferrals, and a Local Control Funding Formula cost-of-living adjustment, as well as additional investments in teacher preparation, pension relief and special education.

In good news for schools, Proposition 98 funding has not declined as once feared and instead is up $14.9 billion over the previous budget’s projections. California schools would receive a proposed all-time high of $85.8 billion Proposition 98 guarantee for K-14 education and $3.8 billion in general funds above the guarantee. Included in this is a 3.84 percent LCFF cost-of-living adjustment, a significant win that reflects CSBA’s work to push the state to make up the 2.31 percent adjustment that was not provided in 2020–21 as well as provide a 1.5 percent adjustment for 2021–22.

I’d like to begin my first column by thanking my fellow school board members for the opportunity I’ve been given. I am grateful for this platform and honored to serve as CSBA President during this pivotal moment for our country and its public schools. I am deeply aware of the way in which major events can change lives, often in a manner that is only revealed with the passage of time. As an American of Japanese descent, I understand that nothing is to be taken for granted and anything can be taken away. My mother was born in Long Beach and by her senior year of high school was living in an internment camp. When she was finally released it was too late to pursue her dream of fashion school.

I often wonder how many student dreams are in the process of being lost as we cope with the pandemic and struggle with the challenges of distance learning and reopening schools. It’s a frightening thought. Too often a dream deferred is a dream denied. Almost 80 years ago, my mother’s plans to attend fashion school were thwarted by a decision that left a stain on the American legacy. We must do everything in our power to ensure that our response to today’s crisis is one we can look back on with pride decades from now.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Dec. 30 unveiled the Safe Schools for All plan (https://bit.ly/38kqIxK), which contains a variety of funding and technical support measures to encourage local educational agencies to resume on-campus instruction. “Learning is non-negotiable,” Gov. Newsom said during the presentation of the plan. “Neither is safety.”

Developed in partnership with the Legislature, the plan focuses on a $2 billion grant program that aims to ensure careful implementation and build confidence by supporting schools to bring back the youngest children (TK-2) and those who are most disproportionately impacted first, then phasing in other grade levels through the spring as conditions allow. This phased-in approach recognizes that younger children are at a lower risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19 with core safety measures in place.

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) on Nov. 30 released emergency regulations requiring employers to protect workers from hazards related to COVID-19. The regulations went into effect immediately and will remain in effect until Oct. 2, 2021.

CSBA is excited to welcome new trustees to the association and to board governance! These candidates were elected as individuals but will serve as part of a governance team — and, as with building a solid foundation for any team, a key first step is to get to know one another and make new board members feel welcome, according to CSBA Governance Consultants Luan Rivera and Daryl Camp. “Intentionality is the key,” said Camp. “What will the board do to make sure the new member is respected, accepted and included? And to make sure they feel secure in their new role?”

CSBA’s first virtual Annual Education conference offered a total of 45 sessions that covered advocacy and community engagement; equity, opportunity and accountability; funding, finance and facilities; innovation and student achievement; leadership through governance; and wellness, school climate and safety.

Add in three inspiring and informative General Session Speakers over two days, and it made for one incredible experience.

The Center for Generational Kinetics conducts studies around the world to separate generational myth from truth, bridge generational divides and drive growth, employment, trust and innovation. “Generations are not a box, but they are powerful, predictive clues to help us better connect with different age groups, understand where people are coming from, and find that common ground that we can build on,” said Jason Dorsey, president of the Center for Generational Kinetics.

The Butte County Office of Education has a long history of managing and implementing teacher pipeline programs that support rural and underserved populations, particularly migrant students. Since 1967, Butte COE has managed the statewide Mini Corps program, which brings together college students with rural migrant backgrounds who are interested in teaching to work as teaching assistants in schools with significant migrant populations. Participants serve as bilingual role models to migrant students, provide tutoring and encourage them to continue in school. The program also aims to help classroom teachers better understand migrant children and their culture, and teaching assistants can help provide a communication link between migrant students, their parents, their teachers and the school.

The program operates at 20 California colleges and universities with the goal of developing a group of diverse, bilingual teachers. Funded through the California Department of Education’s Migrant Education Program, participants are paid an hourly wage for their work in the program and receive in-service training through educational workshops. The program currently has 648 participants, including 310 classified employees. Butte COE assists with advising, exam support and pedagogy support.