Nestande Intros Constitutional Amendment to Help Schools

Assemblymembers Brian Nestande (R-Palm Desert) and Kristin Olsen (R-Modesto) have introduced an Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) that would ban the state legislature from deferring payments to school districts,  

“We need to be straightforward with teachers, parents and students regarding the level of funding they will be receiving, instead of misleading them with smoke and mirrors,” said Nestande.   “Deferrals are driving some school districts into bankruptcy.  State funding for education has decreased, while funding for welfare has increased.  Budgeting is about priorities." 

Beginning in the 2001-02 school year as a small and temporary budget solution, and increasing significantly in 2008-09, California has used budgetary and cash deferrals to K-12 school districts and community colleges to balance the state budget. Over $10 billion is currently owed to our schools.

"Given the current budget crisis, the timing of this measure could not me more crucial,” said Dave Long, former California Secretary of Education.  

According to figures from Nestande's office, only 20% of the money that is allocated to school districts actually gets paid by the state.