The California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) Executive Director Tom Armelino applauded Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2019-20, saying “the future of schoolchildren in California looks brighter” thanks to his proposed spending plan.

“Governor Newsom’s budget directly addresses the most pressing needs we see at the CCEE when partnering with county offices of education, school districts and schools across the state,” Armelino said. “With the continued commitment to equitable funding through the Local Control Funding Formula and additional investments in the state System of Support, the budget moves us closer to ensuring the needs of each and every child are met as they pursue the California Dream.”

CCEE is a different kind of statewide agency that exists to help ‘local control’ work. The agency does not carry out any compliance or accountability functions. Rather, the CCEE serves as a strategic thought partner, connector, and innovator for counties and districts,
helping to identify and match their needs with the array of resources available under the new System of Support, a foundational element of California’s groundbreaking school accountability system.

Armelino specifically praised Governor Newsom for investing $600 million to expand special education services, as well as $1.8 billion in early education which will create and expand services for children ages four to five.

“The CCEE will never lose sight of the children and families that LCFF was enacted to raise up, and I strongly believe that collectively we can get this done,” Armelino said. Aremlino also said he was pleased the Governor’s budget “reduces pension liabilities for districts by billions of dollars and provides a 3.45% COLA to help support the ongoing needs of students.”

Overall, the Governor’s budget includes increasing K-12 education by $2.3 billion in fiscal year 2019-20.