State Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) has introduced SB 1358, which allocates $200 million annually to equalize funding for K-12 schools in low-wealth, underfunded districts across California. The bill is sponsored by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and jointly authored by Sen. George Runner (R-Antelope Valley).
“I’m pleased to see the governor step forward this year to propose funds for our low-wealth school districts,” Simitian said. “This is a fundamental issue of fairness. Disparities in funding mean disparities in opportunities for student success. That has to change.”
“We’re happy to see Senator Simitian continue his efforts to ‘level up’ in school districts with fewer resources,” said Cupertino School Board member Pearl Cheng. “It means our students will have an equal shot at success.”
The dollar amount of per-pupil spending per school district, known as revenue limit funding, varies from district to district based on historical funding formulas as well as changes in law.
The effort to even out or “equalize” funding has largely been driven by the Serrano v. Priest court case in which the California Supreme Court ordered the state to reduce inequities in school funding. Although the last Serrano case was closed in 1986, significant differences in per-pupil spending still persist.
SB 1358 builds on Simitian’s ongoing efforts to equalize school funding. While in the Assembly, he authored AB 441, the Fairness in Education Funding Act, which allocated $40 million for equalization funding in the 2001-2002 budget. AB 441 also established a long-term goal of $400 million to equalize schools to the 90th percentile by the 2006-2007 school year.
“This bill is all about leveling the playing field for underfunded school districts and the kids they serve,” Simitian said. “It’s just that simple.”
Simitian, a former local school board member, is a member of the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education. He is chairman of the Senate Select Committee on California’s Master Plan for Education.
For more information, visit www.democrats.sen.ca.gov/senator/Simitian/.
