Riverside, CA.– On behalf of the Riverside County Office of Education, it is my great pleasure to extend our gratitude to Governor Gavin Newsom, the leadership of the State Legislature, and the Riverside County legislative delegation, for the historic investments in TK-12 education and early learning that are included in this year’s Budget Act.
Students, families, and educators, have faced great challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The education investments in this year’s budget turn those challenges into opportunities, and align in every respect with the Riverside County pledge to ensure that every student graduates from high school academically and socially prepared for college, the workforce, and civic responsibility.
It is gratifying that Riverside County advocacy played an important role in the final budget agreement. Through our Division of Governmental Relations, RCOE reviewed this year’s budget proposals through the lenses of equity, inclusion and local control. We advocated for an increase to the amount of ongoing funding provided to schools through the Local Control Funding Formula, and for addressing historical funding inequities that continue to exist within the funding structure for TK-12 schools. For that reason, we are especially pleased to have played a role in securing the following components of this year’s budget:
Home-to-School Transportation. Research has demonstrated that transporting children to school reduces absenteeism, with enormous implications for learning and academic success. The $630 million investment for school transportation takes an enormous step to address the historical funding inequities in the program and lessens General Fund pressures for school districts, allowing them to invest in additional student services and programs.
Local Control Funding Formula. The nearly 13 percent increase to the LCFF sets the foundation for student success and will greatly benefit local educational agencies as they work to combat soaring inflation, staffing shortages at all levels, and the academic and social impacts the pandemic has had on students. We are also grateful the budget recognizes the work of County Offices of Education to support LEAs through an increase of $101.2 million in their LCFF allocation.
We are also grateful the final budget increases funding for numerous Riverside County priorities: Special Education, expansion of Early Learning programs (including Transitional Kindergarten and State Preschool programs), School Facilities, Career and College Readiness, Community Schools, Expanded Learning Opportunities, Educator Pipeline and Professional Development, Mental Health Services, and professional development for teachers of Math and Science.
I would like to extend my gratitude to the members of the Riverside County legislative delegation for their support of Riverside County budget priorities. Special thanks are due to Assembly Member Jose Medina for sponsoring a budget request on behalf of RCOE to secure funding for the Inland Empire California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP). The $2.4 million in ongoing funding included in the final budget for this Cal-SOAP program will allow students in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties to continue benefitting from the college preparation and financial aid assistance services that the program provides. I would also like to recognize Senator Richard Roth for his critical support of attendance relief in the 2021-22 school year, Assembly Member Eduardo Garcia for his strong support for special education funding and inclusion, and Assembly Member Sabrina Cervantes for her work to secure additional funding for early learning, the TK-12 system, and our public institutions of higher education. In addition, I commend the entire delegation for their advocacy on numerous community projects throughout the county that were included in the final budget.
Overall, this year’s budget act provides the resources schools need in order to ensure the short- and long-term success of our students. As County Superintendent of Schools, I look forward to working with our team at RCOE, the 23 school district superintendents in Riverside County, our County Board of Education, and all educational leaders in the county to turn these opportunities into reality.