California public schools get record $128.3 billion in latest spending plan

In a major win for California and Bay Area public schools, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the state plans to give schools a record $128.3 billion and expand its per-student spending to $22,850 to give a boost to the state’s education system amid a string of hardships throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

“That’s a number you’ve never seen in California,” Newsom said on Friday as he presented details of his revised state budget – revealing a $97.5 billion surplus due largely to economic gains from California’s wealthiest. “This is about education reform. This is about completely reimagining the education system.”

The cash will fund universal transitional kindergarten, college savings accounts for all students, school facilities, youth mental health and teacher training and recruitment, among other needs illuminated by the coronavirus pandemic, he said.

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