California Schools Fight Back Against Funding Cut

In Sacramento, a coalition of teachers, school boards and labor unions gathered to protest Governor Newsom’s latest budget move. The governor proposes to pause $3.9 billion of the mandatory education money set aside by Proposition 98, a law that guarantees about 40 % of the state’s general fund for schools. This would mean each student loses roughly $643 in support, deepening the crisis that already leaves many districts with massive deficits and forced layoffs.

The coalition—called the Education Coalition—includes the California Teachers Association, school board groups, county superintendents and parent‑teacher associations. They argued that cutting this money would worsen teacher shortages, lower the quality of education and leave local communities to shoulder the uncertainty when state revenue falls short.

Newsom says the pause creates a financial cushion amid unpredictable earnings, but educators warn that it threatens the very purpose of Proposition 98: to protect students from budget swings. The law was passed in 1988 after voters demanded a reliable safety net for public schools.

Last month, several Bay Area districts—San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco and others—joined Los Angeles officials in a letter urging lawmakers to reject the plan. These districts already face layoffs, budget cuts or school closures due to deficits ranging from $6 million to over $100 million. Declining enrollment, higher costs and the end of pandemic relief funds have added to the pressure.

The teachers’ union said at least 2,400 educators received layoff notices this year and warned that the earlier $5.6 billion proposal could cost Bay Area schools more than $586 million in lost funding. This is the second time Newsom has tried to delay school money; last year he withheld $1.9 billion after proposing an even larger cut.

Proponents of Proposition 98 insist it is a legal safeguard, not a flexible budget line. They claim that allowing the state to manipulate this funding undermines voters’ intent and weakens protections for students. Leaders from school administrations noted that the pandemic recovery, staffing shortages and rising costs have already destabilized budgets; additional withholding would only add uncertainty.

The coalition urges the governor and legislature to restore all withheld funds, reject any further manipulation of Proposition 98, and honor the voters’ commitment to fully fund education. The legislature must debate this revised budget by mid‑June before it is finalized.