state budget
CSBA budget advocacy priorities for 2022–23
Increasing funding for the LCFF base allows for the best use of funds locally
Budget season is in full swing in Sacramento as hearings and negotiations between Gov. Gavin Newsom, the Legislature and stakeholders continue. With high revenues fueling another big budget cycle and no shortage of challenges facing schools, here’s what CSBA is focusing our budget advocacy on this year.
It’s all about the base
First and foremost, a recommitment to the Local Control Funding Formula through an increase in base funding beyond the statutorily required cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is paramount. Despite perceptions that education received a great deal of new revenue in the last budget, most new funds are one-time, tied up in categorical programs with eligibility restrictions or in competitive grant programs that many districts lack the capacity or resources to access or sustain. The required 5.33 percent statutory COLA in the Governor’s January Budget Proposal is appreciated, but insufficient to meet the needs of local educational agencies as inflation and fixed costs continue to rise. Schools simply cannot accommodate new programs if they are already stretched thin conducting basic operations.
an empty classroom with the sun shining through the windows
Among the most significant education proposals in this year’s budget are those addressing declining enrollment. CSBA’s priority is to ensure that any adopted plan recognizes the devastating impact the pandemic has had on school attendance.
Recommitment to the base is vital for the day-to-day function of schools. The rising costs of inflation, declining enrollment, pension and school unemployment fund rate increases, staffing challenges and other cost pressures are leading schools statewide towards troubling fiscal futures. CSBA is advocating for the Legislature and Governor to invest heavily in the LCFF base to ensure that schools can meet rising costs, remain competitive in attracting and retaining high-quality personnel and — most importantly — improve student well-being and academic outcomes.
COVID-related attendance relief needed

Among the most significant education proposals in this year’s budget are those addressing declining enrollment. The Governor’s plan, outlined in the January budget, would change how LCFF apportionment is calculated to consider the greater of a school district’s current year, prior year, or the average of three prior years’ average daily attendance. CSBA’s priority is to ensure that any adopted plan recognizes the devastating impact the pandemic has had on school attendance.

Specifically, CSBA is requesting that the attendance percentage an LEA generated in the 2019–20 school year be used in calculating the attendance component of the apportionment, as 2019–20 was the last “normal” school year. In calculating the enrollment component, CSBA proposes using current enrollment numbers. This balance will reflect declines or increases in enrollment while still acknowledging the unforeseen impacts of the delta and omicron waves on attendance this school year.

Urgent pension relief left unaddressed
CSBA will also be advocating on an issue that has so far been left unaddressed in budget negotiations: continuing pension relief for school employers. While state assistance ends at the close of 2021–22, it remains desperately needed to prevent employer contributions from crowding out local budgets and preventing desperately needed investments in educational programs to close achievement gaps, improve student learning, and attract and retain the best and brightest staff. CSBA is urging the Governor and Legislature to once again commit non-Proposition 98 General Fund allocations to help LEAs cover a portion of the employer contributions to the CalSTRS and CalPERS systems in the short term, but also utilize the state’s significant budget surplus to buy down the unfunded liability of the two systems, which will reduce employer rates long term.
Facilities funding needed for successful TK expansion
As schools look ahead to the expansion of transitional kindergarten (TK), funding is needed to ensure schools have adequate facilities to serve these new students. While the Governor’s budget proposes $2.3 billion in additional school facilities funding over the next two years, more is needed as LEAs race against the clock to construct and prepare facilities.

TK requires specialized classrooms, with additional requirements for minimum square footage, in-class restrooms, separate play yards, proximity to drop-off/loading areas and even the height of furniture. Furthermore, the existing state facilities program requires a local match component with limited available funding split between TK, full-day kindergarten and preschool programs.

CSBA is pushing for additional non-Proposition 98 General Fund money to construct facilities for TK students, accommodate the program’s reduced class-size ratios, and for an amendment allowing LEAs to access 100 percent state funding until districts can pass local bonds. This additional funding and flexibility will be critical to ensuring that LEAs can fulfill the state’s goals for TK expansion and serve their new students.

More needed to meet LEAs’ transportation costs

While the $1.5 billion for green school buses proposed by the Governor is a new investment, more is needed to fund transportation fully and sustainably. Providing home-to-school transportation is an ongoing hurdle for many districts that offer it, particularly given the upcoming TK expansion. CSBA is requesting funding for home-to-school transportation that is equal to the actual costs for LEAs, in addition to an annual COLA to account for increasing costs.

What’s next?
Hearings on the Governor’s proposal and budget legislation will continue throughout the spring and Gov. Newsom will announce his revised budget proposal by May 15. Negotiations between the administration and Legislature will continue until the June 15 deadline to pass the budget bill, which the Governor will then have until July 1 to sign. CSBA’s Governmental Relations team will continue to pursue these budget priorities and provide updates and opportunities for advocacy throughout all the twists and turns ahead.
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