USCS - CANEC

05/31/2003

CANEC is pleased to share this update on the recent work in Sacramento. Our elected representatives continue to work to finalize the 2003-04 California state budget by the constitutional deadline of July 1st. For the moment. budget work is happening at an accelerated pace and with a sense of urgency when compared with earlier years. However, there is a strong concern that the negations are very fragile, and progress can stop at any time. While most attention is on the budget, at the same time bills are continuing to proceed through Policy and Appropriation Committees. Be sure to check the status of bills that may impact charter schools at http://www.canec.org/pendingleg.htm.

Both the Assembly and the Senate Budget Committees have approved their respective versions of the state budget for 2003-04. Discussions will move to a Budget Conference Committee, composed of six members to be announced soon. Their work is expected to begin early next week. This is where future and final negotiations will take place among the legislative leadership and the Governor. They need to develop a budget package that two thirds of both the Senate and Assembly will approve.

Here is information regarding some cuts which have taken been included in the current versions. Please note that none of these reductions are charter specific.

Teaching As a Priority Block Grant and Miller Unruh Program- - Since there is agreement between the Governor and both houses on cutting these programs, we can assume they will no longer be funded next year.

Hourly Supplemental Programs - - While the hourly rate has not been reduced, the numbers of hours the state will fund have been. There will be no funding for the K-4 Elementary Intensive Reading program and no funding for the grades 7 and 8 Algebra academies. The Core Academic summer school program funding was reduced from 7% to 5% of K-12 enrollment multiplied by 120 hours. Since there is agreement between the Governor and both houses on these cuts, we can assume they will go into affect in the next fiscal year. The reductions in these programs will impact a number of elementary charter schools that serve disadvantaged students.

Instructional Materials - - The Governor, the Senate and the Assembly each approved a reduction in instructional materials funding of $75 million, a significant reduction from current year funding levels. The Senate version, if adopted, will provide approximately $26 per pupil. The Assembly approved more reductions lowering this to approximately $22 per pupil. While the Budget Conference Committee will have to resolve the difference between these two levels, a charter school, if it applies for this funding for the 2003-04 schools year and accepts the restrictions of the program, should expect no more than $26 per pupil next year.

School Improvement Program - - There is agreement between the Governor and both houses on cutting SIP funding by 10%. This funding reduction will reduce the amount of the charter school categorical block grant.

Supplemental Grants - - This is an area where the Budget Conference Committee will have to resolve differences between the proposals. Current proposals call for reductions of $79 to $80 million but Republicans have complained about the disproportionate impact of these cuts. This funding reduction will reduce the amount of the charter school categorical block grant.

Gifted And Talented Education - - There is agreement for a reduction of $10 million, a major cut to this program. We can assume that GATE funding will be cut by approximately 18% next year. This funding reduction will reduce the amount of the charter school categorical block grant.

Please continue to check your e-mail DAILY for listserv announcements and check the CANEC website (http://www.canec.org/articles.html) for budget updates. We continue to actively follow all phases of budget negotiations, but much of the work takes place behind closed doors and at all hours of the day and night. We will give you the greatest notice possible should we hear of any new threats to charter schools' funding and will continue to provide you with routine updates on budget issues as actions occur.

Helen Wallquist
Advocacy Coordinator, CANEC
916-798-0965
wallquist@canec.org


	STATE BUDGET AND LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - May 30, 2003 05/31/2003 CANEC is pleased to share this update on the recent work in Sacramento. Our elected representatives continue to work to finalize the 2003-04 California state budget by the constitutional deadline of July 1st. For the moment. budget work is happening at an accelerated pace and with a sense of urgency when compared with earlier years. However, there is a strong concern that the negations are very fragile, and progress can stop at any time. While most attention is on the budget, at the same time bills are continuing to proceed through Policy and Appropriation Committees. Be sure to check the status of bills that may impact charter schools at http://www.canec.org/pendingleg.htm. Both the Assembly and the Senate Budget Committees have approved their respective versions of the state budget for 2003-04. Discussions will move to a Budget Conference Committee, composed of six members to be announced soon. Their work is expected to begin early next week. This is where future and final negotiations will take place among the legislative leadership and the Governor. They need to develop a budget package that two thirds of both the Senate and Assembly will approve. Here is information regarding some cuts which have taken been included in the current versions. Please note that none of these reductions are charter specific. Teaching As a Priority Block Grant and Miller Unruh Program- - Since there is agreement between the Governor and both houses on cutting these programs, we can assume they will no longer be funded next year. Hourly Supplemental Programs - - While the hourly rate has not been reduced, the numbers of hours the state will fund have been. There will be no funding for the K-4 Elementary Intensive Reading program and no funding for the grades 7 and 8 Algebra academies. The Core Academic summer school program funding was reduced from 7% to 5% of K-12 enrollment multiplied by 120 hours. Since there is agreement between the Governor and both houses on these cuts, we can assume they will go into affect in the next fiscal year. The reductions in these programs will impact a number of elementary charter schools that serve disadvantaged students. Instructional Materials - - The Governor, the Senate and the Assembly each approved a reduction in instructional materials funding of $75 million, a significant reduction from current year funding levels. The Senate version, if adopted, will provide approximately $26 per pupil. The Assembly approved more reductions lowering this to approximately $22 per pupil. While the Budget Conference Committee will have to resolve the difference between these two levels, a charter school, if it applies for this funding for the 2003-04 schools year and accepts the restrictions of the program, should expect no more than $26 per pupil next year. School Improvement Program - - There is agreement between the Governor and both houses on cutting SIP funding by 10%. This funding reduction will reduce the amount of the charter school categorical block grant. Supplemental Grants - - This is an area where the Budget Conference Committee will have to resolve differences between the proposals. Current proposals call for reductions of $79 to $80 million but Republicans have complained about the disproportionate impact of these cuts. This funding reduction will reduce the amount of the charter school categorical block grant. Gifted And Talented Education - - There is agreement for a reduction of $10 million, a major cut to this program. We can assume that GATE funding will be cut by approximately 18% next year. This funding reduction will reduce the amount of the charter school categorical block grant. Please continue to check your e-mail DAILY for listserv announcements and check the CANEC website (http://www.canec.org/articles.html) for budget updates. We continue to actively follow all phases of budget negotiations, but much of the work takes place behind closed doors and at all hours of the day and night. We will give you the greatest notice possible should we hear of any new threats to charter schools' funding and will continue to provide you with routine updates on budget issues as actions occur. Helen Wallquist Advocacy Coordinator, CANEC 916-798-0965 wallquist@canec.org