Back-to-School: Preparing governance teams for the challenges ahead
Archived webcast available soon online
Published: September 26, 2012
School governance teams across California got a concise but detailed update on critical school finance issues—including CSBA’s plans to lead the effort to transform school appropriations through a weighted student funding formula—as well as pension reform, Common Core State Standards and other key education issues as part of CSBA’s 2012 Back-to-School webcast, streamed to computers throughout the state last Thursday.
During a wide-ranging, two-hour discussion moderated by CSBA Executive Director Vernon M. Billy, some of the association’s top policy, legislative and legal experts provided the latest news and analysis to prepare their virtual audience for the unprecedented challenges ahead.
Billy stressed that it’s especially critical that CSBA members educate voters about the importance of supporting Propositions 30 and 38, two school finance measures on the Nov. 6 ballot that will supply desperately needed revenue for public schools.
Billy and CSBA President Jill Wynns will join state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson in a statewide media tour in the coming weeks to discuss the crisis in school funding and Propositions 30 and 38, sponsored respectively by Gov. Jerry Brown and civil rights attorney and philanthropist Molly Munger.
“Since I became executive director I have heard from members who want us to step up our political efforts,” Billy said during the Back-to-School Webcast, tying the upcoming media tour to CSBA’s broader public information and advocacy campaign, Stand Up For Education, that’s designed to keep public education at the forefront of the public agenda.
Billy and the other speakers tackled a number of critical issues of special interest to governing boards During the two-hour webcast, including:
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Weighted student funding: CSBA is poised to take a leadership effort in the campaign to ensure that Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed weighted student formula would not hurt districts if it’s enacted. Dennis Meyers, the association’s assistant executive director for Governmental Relations, said the governor is certain to reintroduce his plan to change the way schools are funded in the next legislative session. A weighted funding formula would give a base grant for each student and additional funds for those from historically underachieving backgrounds or with special needs. Some school districts would stand to lose funds if the formula is implemented as Brown originally proposed it, so CSBA is fighting hard for a “hold harmless” clause that would protect districts from cuts. Meyers said CSBA will be at the table with key lawmakers in January, advocating for a formula that is fair to all Local Education Agencies in the state.
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Pension reform: CSBA Legislative Advocate Brian Rivas said the state has adopted a “balanced set of reforms” to public employee pensions that protects the lowest-paid employees and caps benefits for the highest earners. Rivas said the changes, which largely reflect the recommendations of a CSBA task force, will save between $42 billion and $55 billion in CalPERS expenses and $22 billion and CalSTRS expenses over the next 30 years. “Don’t bank savings now,” Rivas cautioned. “There are a lot of unknowns.” Rivas’ Power Point presentation on the topic is here.
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Common Core: CSBA Policy and Programs Officer Christopher Maricle said that new standards and assessments will require a “deeper level of learning and a deeper level of teaching,” one that will challenge both students and teachers. The state will also need to adopt instructional materials that are aligned with Common Core standards; looking farther ahead, student assessments planned to begin in 2014-15 may require new investments in computer hardware, software or internet connectivity. CSBA has launched a “Governing to the Core” policy brief series, with one available now and others to come.
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Sequestration: CSBA Legislative Advocate Erika Hoffman said she does not think federal lawmakers will pull the trigger on the automatic budget cuts, known as sequestration, that are part of the hard-fought congressional battle over the federal debt ceiling. The cuts are scheduled to go into effect in January if Congress fails to agree on how to close the massive federal budget deficit. But Hoffman predicted lawmakers will avoid the automatic cuts, noting “it would have such a huge impact on defense and safety net programs like Medicaid and education.” Hoffman said the association will direct members to resources and provide opportunities for advocacy. “Contact your representatives in Congress and let them know that these cuts would hurt our most vulnerable students,” she urged.
The Back-to-School Webcast will be archived at www.csba.org soon.