SACRAMENTO – The California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) President & CEO Myrna Castrejón issued the following statement regarding the veto by Governor Gavin Newsom today of the anti-charter legislation AB 1604.
Said Ms. Castrejón:
“CCSA commends Governor Newsom for his veto of Assembly Bill 1604 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), that would make changes to the Charter School Facility Grant program (CSFGP) administered by the California School Finance Authority (CSFA) and would have unnecessarily raised facilities cost for charter public schools that want to establish or expand in low-income communities across the state.
“Access to high-quality school facilities is the most significant operational obstacle to opening and operating a charter public school across California. Unlike a school district, charter public schools do not have access to zoning exemptions, bonding authority, or eminent domain to acquire facilities, and access to statewide school bonds is significantly limited.
“Charter public schools broaden families’ options in their child’s public education, offering a high-quality education that is free, public, and open to all. CCSA will continue to work with state legislators on policies that strengthen public education for all students. Let’s work on policies that create more public education opportunities, not less.
“On behalf of the 700,000 charter school students and families across the Golden State, thank you, Governor Newsom, for your commitment that all kids have access to high-quality facilities and public schools, including kids in low-income communities.”
The Governor’s veto message of AB1604 can be found here.
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.
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