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CCSA Endorses Public Preschool, K-12 and College Health and Safety Bond Act of 2020

December 6, 2019

Sacramento, CA – Today the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) announced its endorsement of Proposition 13, an initiative on the March 2020 ballot that will provide $15 billion in critically needed modernization and construction funding for California’s traditional and charter K-12 public schools, colleges and universities.

CCSA has long been a reliable partner with other education stakeholders to support increasing resources to our historically underfunded public education system. We have been an ally in the fight for securing adequate resources for all public school students in the past supporting Prop. 30, Prop. 55 and Measure EE in Los Angeles.

“Too many public school students in California attend schools in desperate need of upgrading and repair and other communities are in critical need of new facilities,” said Myrna Castrejón, president and CEO, CCSA. “Research overwhelmingly confirms it is much more difficult for students to learn when their school facilities are inadequate and outdated. The vast majority of students disadvantaged by substandard school facilities come from low-income communities and are students of color, making this a critical issue in our shared fight for educational equity. We were proud to have been actively involved in crafting the legislation to place this initiative on the ballot, ensuring that a half billion dollars is committed to supporting California’s non-profit charter public schools. We applaud Governor Newsom and the legislature for their leadership in placing this critical initiative on the ballot and are proud to support it.”

On October 7, Governor Newsom signed AB 48, which authorizes the placement of a $15 billion school construction bond on the March 2020 ballot. If approved by a majority of voters, this measure would provide $9 billion of the total $15 billion for K-12 school facility needs, with the remaining $6 billion being divided evenly between community colleges, California State Universities, and the University of California system. $500 million is dedicated specifically for charter school projects.

Beyond the $500 million in dedicated charter school funds, the final version of AB 48 includes intent language that emphasizes the need for the Legislature to enact legislation in 2020 making the pending bond program a more cost-effective option for charter schools looking to develop facilities. The measure is comprised of 50 percent grants and 50 percent very low interest loans. Charter schools would be able to access state bond funding without also incurring unreasonable levels of debt.