SACRAMENTO, CA – California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) President and CEO Myrna Castrejón issued the following statement in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2026-27 state budget to the Legislature:
“CCSA appreciates Governor Newsom’s long-term, strategic approach to K–12 education—one that reflects California’s values and sustained investment in students, from transitional kindergarten to career pathways. Today’s budget proposal helps stabilize education funding by maintaining COLA, paying down deferrals, and increasing discretionary funding, recognizing that local flexibility is essential to meeting the diverse needs of students and communities. We also appreciate the targeted relief for Southern California schools impacted by recent fires as they continue their long recovery.
While the state faces real fiscal constraints, those challenges should not deter us from pursuing strong and courageous solutions in the face of declining enrollment and the ongoing urgency to improve student outcomes. We commend the Governor and his administration for holding K–12 funding stable and slightly increasing investments during a difficult budget year. We also appreciate the Governor’s engagement on auditing issues that we have been working on, and we look forward to collaborating in the weeks ahead.
Governor Newsom’s proposal to modernize California’s K–12 governance structure is a meaningful step toward clearer accountability and more effective implementation of education policy. This framework aligns California with the vast majority of states and addresses long-standing challenges created by diffuse authority. CCSA has long maintained that California’s current governance structure does not adequately serve students, families, educators, or communities. Clear lines of responsibility and accountability are essential to strengthening public education, and we strongly support the Governor’s efforts to streamline and strengthen the state’s K–12 governance system.”
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About the California Charter Schools Association
The vision of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) is to build great public schools of joy and rigor that prepare all California students for success in college, career, community, and life. The mission of CCSA is to meet parent, educator, and community need for great public school options by supporting and advocating for high quality non-profit charter schools and sharing their success throughout California’s public schools. Learn more.