Two district perspectives on COVID-19 closures for small and rural districts

Even before COVID-19 led to widespread and long-term school closures, California’s small and rural school districts faced extensive resource and educational gaps. Now, small and rural school districts must contend with specific challenges as they move to distance learning. Trustees and administrators in these communities […]

UPDATE: Legislature’s recess extended to May 4; what that means for remainder of session, state budget process

On March 16, just after passing a package of $1 billion in funding to fight the COVID-19 pandemic (which included $100 million for schools, equal to approximately $17.37 per average daily attendance that will be sent to local educational agencies in early April), the Legislature […]

Senators’ letter to Congress highlights need for dedicated funding for digital access in student homes

The sudden and extended closures of America’s schools have brought into the spotlight a persistent problem well known to education advocates: unequal access to both internet access and devices in student homes. Across the country, 12 million students do not have internet access at home. […]

Boards may meet without a physical meeting space for the public, and may receive updates on COVID-19 from officials

On March 17, 2020, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a second executive order impacting meetings held by school district and county office of education boards. Executive Order N-29-20 superseded paragraph 11 of the March 12, 2020, Executive Order N-25-20, which required local educational agencies to provide […]

Districts receive flexibility in providing schools meals to hungry students

Several waivers aimed at helping ease school meal distribution requirements were announced by United States Department of Agriculture officials on March 26 in an effort to ensure all children eligible for federal nutrition programs have access to meals they would normally receive in school despite […]

Coronavirus update: Stimulus set to deliver $13.5B in emergency funding for K-12 schools; a look at CalPERS and CalSTRS impacts

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday night unanimously passed a $2 trillion stimulus bill to aid the country amidst the massive economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of note, the stimulus will deliver $16.5 billion in emergency funding for K-12 education, with $13.5 billion via formula […]