Richard Barrera, one of two candidates for state superintendent of public instruction, applauded the California Teacher Association’s lawsuit over funding for schools.
The teachers union is suing the state, charging Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature with illegally withholding $3.9 billion for TK-12 schools and community colleges in the 2026-27 budget. The California School Boards Association plans a similar lawsuit. Both organizations claim that the withheld funding is a violation of Proposition 98, the formula that determines what portion of state revenue goes to education.
Newsom has said districts will get the funding if projected revenue is actually collected early next year, but until then the state needs to be cautious.
“I salute CTA and CSBA for refusing to accept the unconstitutional action by the governor and the legislature to withhold vital school funding despite the legal mandate to release those funds on a timely basis,” said Barrera in a statement. “Our schools are not piggy banks that can be raided at will.”
CTA has put millions behind Barrera’s campaign, as he faces Chino Valley Unified school board President Sonja Shaw in November’s election. Shaw has not mentioned the lawsuit publicly.
This story was originally published by EdSource.