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The California Teachers Association has filed a lawsuit against state officials, including Joe Stephenshaw and Malia Cohen, over nearly $6bn in withheld school funding. The union claims that budget actions approved by Gov. Gavin Newsom violate the state's constitutional education funding guarantee. The lawsuit seeks to recover $1.9bn withheld for the 2024-25 school year and $3.9bn from the revised state budget. David Goldberg, president of the California Teachers Association, said: “We are demanding a return of the funds that have been withheld so that our students and communities can be saved from yet another year of devastating educator layoffs and unnecessary cuts.” The dispute centers around Proposition 98, which allocates a significant portion of the state’s general fund for K-12 schools. Critics argue that withholding funds exacerbates teacher shortages and threatens educational quality.

 

East Bay

The Sacramento Bee

San Francisco Chronicle

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As students return to classrooms, concerns about school funding persist among parents and teachers. California allocates nearly half of its General Fund budget—approximately $110 bn—to education, yet many question whether these funds effectively reach students. "If nearly half of the state’s General Fund is already going to education, then perhaps the issue is not how much we are spending," said Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, representing California’s 19th Senate district. The complexity of California's education funding system, which includes state, federal, and local sources, adds to the confusion. Recent legislation has increased funding for special education by $2.4bn, but transparency in spending remains crucial. Parents are encouraged to engage with school districts to ensure funds are used effectively, as student performance continues to decline despite increased spending.

 

Press Enterprise

Press-Telegram

California's K-12 schools have been acquiring military equipment for years, often without public disclosure, violating a 2021 state law. Nine out of 21 public school police forces have purchased military-grade gear, including semi-automatic rifles and less-lethal launchers. Five of these forces failed to report their inventories this year. “This equipment is used only in limited, high-risk situations where it is necessary to help protect students,” said Christy Hagen, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles School Police. The law aims to limit police militarization, especially in marginalized communities, but many districts have not complied with transparency requirements. Parents and community members are divided on the issue, with some advocating for safety measures while others express concern over the implications of arming school police.

 

San Francisco Chronicle

The Sacramento Observer

School facility problems caused an estimated 2m students to miss approximately 3.5m days of learning during the 2024-25 school year, according to a new Government Accountability Office report. One in five districts canceled classes because of issues including plumbing emergencies and extreme temperatures, while nearly half experienced facility problems that disrupted learning in some way. The GAO estimates that 14% of U.S. schools are in poor or very poor condition, while roughly one-third are in fair condition and will require repairs within five years. Flooding and water intrusion were the most commonly reported chronic problems, affecting 22% of districts, followed by excessive classroom heat or cold at 21%. The report also identified plumbing, ventilation, structural, accessibility, fire safety, and building code issues, with one district reporting classroom temperatures as high as 110 degrees. More than half of district leaders said their facility budgets are insufficient, and 16% of districts have no plans to address major systems, such as HVAC or plumbing, in at least one existing school. Leaders cited high construction costs, inadequate state funding, and limited federal and state financing opportunities as major obstacles.

 

Education Week News

In Palo Alto, all three school board candidates are considering the possibility of closing schools due to declining enrollment, which has dropped from 12,287 students in 2017 to 10,209 last year, according to the California Department of Education. Candidate John Craig stated: “If we're not using it, why not?” regarding the potential sale of a campus. Avery Wang expressed concerns about the unpopularity of closures, while Linda Henigin emphasized that she would not sell a campus, saying: “I don't know why we would release an asset that we may need back again.” The candidates acknowledged the emotional and logistical challenges of such decisions, with Craig noting: “You don't want to react too quickly.” The district's enrollment peaked in 1967 at 15,575 students and has seen fluctuations since then.

 

Palo Alto Daily Post

In the Escondido USD, tensions escalated following the appointment of Ryan Gardiner as the new school board trustee. His selection, made on a 3-1 vote, was met with public disapproval, including boos and shouts. Gardiner, a political consultant, expressed his commitment to the district, stating, "I am deeply honored to receive this appointment and look forward to bringing my experience in public policy and business to the board." The controversy stems from the resignation of former trustee Mark Olson, whose timing raised questions about transparency. Community members criticized the board's decision to appoint rather than hold a special election, with former board member Joe Muga emphasizing the need for a qualified candidate. The ongoing conflict reflects deeper issues within the district, particularly regarding communication and decision-making processes.

 

Merced Sun Star

Carlton Copa has been appointed to the vacant Area 5 trustee seat by the Placer UHSD Board of Trustees, following a 3-1 vote. The vacancy arose after Trustee Tom Duncan's resignation, effective July 23, 2026.

 

The Sacramento Bee

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has significantly contributed to San Francisco public schools, committing $156m over 14 years. In 2013, he initiated this effort with a $2.7m donation, promising $100m over a decade. This year, he announced $27m in grants, including $18m for San Francisco and Oakland districts. The donations also involve employee volunteer hours and technology support. Robin Washington, Salesforce's president and COO, highlighted the personal connection to education, stating: “I think it's an investment in the future.” The funding aims to enhance technology access and prepare educators for AI integration, with San Francisco Superintendent Maria Su noting the partnership's role in supporting both students and teachers. Benioff advocates for responsible AI use, stating: “Technology is not good or bad, it's what you do with it that matters.”

 

San Francisco Chronicle

The expansion of the Early Learning for All (ELFA) program in San Francisco has made preschool more affordable for many families, with two-thirds now eligible for assistance. Mayor Daniel Lurie's initiative allows families of four earning up to $178,300 to qualify for free preschool, while those earning up to $243,150 can receive up to $2,115 monthly. Liz Winograd, vice chair of the San Francisco Child Care Planning and Advisory Council, highlighted the pressure parents feel, recalling a parent who said: “We need to get in here because my child is going to Stanford.” However, confusion remains regarding eligibility and enrollment processes. Ingrid Mezquita, executive director of the San Francisco Department of Early Childhood, noted that about 10,000 kids and nearly 600 providers are currently participating in the program. The city aims to make high-quality early childhood care accessible while addressing the bureaucratic challenges faced by providers.

 

San Francisco Chronicle

Four shuttered schools in Santa Rosa, including Brook Hill Elementary and Lewis Early Learning Academy, have been declared surplus and are set to enter the disposition process. Lisa August Hulme, the district's business chief, said: “Once school property is declared surplus, the district is obligated to first offer that property to other public agencies.” The district aims to favor long-term leases, which could provide revenue for operational costs. The process may take 6-12 months, and the SRCS Surplus Facilities Advisory “7-11” Committee has recommended that the properties be disposed of for fair market value for housing uses. The district is navigating a significant budget crisis, having closed all middle schools and laid off around 270 staff members over two years.

 

Press Democrat

Forbes has unveiled its America's Top Colleges 2027 rankings, highlighting three California institutions in the top 10: Stanford University at No. 6, the California Institute of Technology at No. 7, and the University of California, Berkeley at No. 9. Forbes evaluated around 1,600 colleges, focusing on student outcomes rather than reputation. "How successful are its students academically and in their careers?" the publication asked. Stanford, known for its strengths in science and engineering, offers an average grant aid of $62,755 and a median salary of $126,916 for graduates after 10 years. Caltech, renowned for its research programs, provides an average grant aid of $72,373, with graduates earning a median salary of $117,278. UC Berkeley, recognized for its public engagement, has an average grant aid of $29,608 and a median salary of $111,530. Other notable California colleges also made the list, showcasing the state's educational excellence.

 

Daily Press

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently withdrew their children, Archie and Lilibet, from a new school after just two days due to security concerns raised by their team. A friend of the couple mentioned that they "absolutely adored the school," but the decision was made reluctantly as the security team could not ensure safe transportation. Critics online questioned the couple's planning, with one person stating, "Parents should have all these details in place before placing children in school." The Sussexes are reportedly looking for another school in the area, while Harry continues to seek taxpayer-funded security amid ongoing legal disputes. Royal journalist Tom Sykes expressed skepticism about their choices, highlighting the challenges of their move back to the UK.

 

East Bay

The Sacramento Bee

The Sacramento Bee

San Luis Obispo Tribune