AB 2519 delivers a major statewide victory for charter educators throughout California
SACRAMENTO, CA — California’s charter public school educators secured a major victory with Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of AB 2519, legislation sponsored by the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) and authored by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood). Under the new law, eligible charter public school educators can continue participating in the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) and building their pension benefits while serving in charter public schools.
“We thank Governor Newsom for signing this critical legislation, and we are grateful to Assemblymember McKinnor for championing AB 2519 and ensuring the concerns of charter teachers and school leaders were heard and addressed," said Myrna Castrejón, CCSA President and CEO. "AB 2519 ensures eligible charter educators can continue participating in CalSTRS and, importantly, are treated equitably alongside their colleagues in traditional public schools.”
Changes to state retirement law in 2024 put future CalSTRS participation at risk for certain charter public school administrators beginning July 1, 2027. Without AB 2519, affected administrators would have faced a difficult choice: leave their charter school positions to continue participating in CalSTRS or remain in those positions and lose the ability to earn additional pension benefits through the system.
AB 2519 fixes that problem, allowing eligible charter educators to remain in their positions while continuing to participate in CalSTRS.
“Charter public school educators should not have to choose between serving their school communities and continuing to build toward their retirement,” said Castrejón. “Strong schools depend on strong, experienced educators. Ensuring eligible charter educators can continue participating in CalSTRS helps charter public schools recruit and retain talented school leaders, provides greater stability for school communities, and allows educators to continue doing what matters most: helping students learn and thrive.”
AB 2519 also demonstrates the important role CCSA and its members can play in identifying challenges facing charter public schools and turning those challenges into statewide solutions.
Charter school leaders brought the issue directly to state lawmakers, sharing powerful testimony about what losing access to CalSTRS could mean for educators, their families and their school communities.
CCSA’s advocacy, legal and policy teams identified a legislative solution and partnered with Assemblymember McKinnor and other legislative leaders to advance the measure through the Legislature and across the finish line.
Media Interviews Available
Members of the media interested in discussing the impact of AB 2519 may request an interview with a CCSA leader or a charter public school educator who can speak directly about what the new law means for educators and school communities. Please contact Ana Tintocalis, Vice President of Public Relations & Creative Services, at [email protected] to coordinate an interview.
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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.