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California
5th October 2026
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THE HOT STORY

California schools brace for El Niño

California public schools are preparing for potentially severe El Niño-driven storms that experts warn could damage aging buildings, cause flooding, and force school closures. At least 59 school districts seeking voter approval for bonds in November have identified leaky, deteriorating, or decaying roofs as needing repairs or replacement, while federal flood data indicate that roughly 20% of the state’s schools are located within flood plains. Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency, with preparations including stockpiling pumps and sandbags near vulnerable areas. Small and coastal districts could face particular challenges from heavy rain, strong winds, mudslides, rising tides, and flooding. Some districts are repairing roofs, strengthening flood defenses, preparing backup power, and considering remote learning if schools become inaccessible. Officials are also drawing on lessons from 2023, when storms closed at least 178 schools and a levee failure flooded Pajaro Middle School near Watsonville. Experts warn that aging facilities, existing roof leaks, and dry rot could make some school buildings particularly vulnerable during an unusually wet winter.

SYSTEM-LEVEL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

New partnership! HMH and UnboundEd

HMH and UnboundEd have partnered to help districts achieve successful implementation of Into Math California through coordinated support for leaders, coaches, and teachers. HMH's curriculum and classroom practice expertise combined with UnboundEd's focus on leadership systems and instructional coherence help keep classroom instruction and district priorities aligned.

By combining HMH curriculum expertise with UnboundEd's implementation support, districts can strengthen implementation consistency and reduce the risk that instructional initiatives lose momentum over time. 

Learn about Into Math California

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Diesel costs squeeze school transport

School districts across the U.S. are facing growing transportation costs as diesel prices approach record highs at about $6.40 per gallon, putting pressure on budgets and prompting some districts to consider more efficient routes or cuts to activities such as field trips and sports transportation. Jefferson County, Colorado, operates nearly 400 buses covering more than 20,000 miles daily, and officials said diesel spending has risen dramatically compared with last year. Some districts that previously diversified their fleets are less exposed to the increase. Boulder’s school district, which uses mostly propane and unleaded-fuel buses alongside some electric vehicles, has seen diesel spending fall 12% from last year after beginning its shift toward alternative fuels about a decade ago. However, transitioning fleets is expensive and takes time, with many districts relying on federal support, including funding from the 2021 Infrastructure Law’s $5bn clean school bus program, which the Trump administration is reviewing.

STATE NEWS

Wealthy Californians face tax showdown

Proposition 3 aims to extend a tax on wealthy Californians to fund education, generating between $5bn and $15bn annually. Unlike Proposition 40, which proposes a one-time 5% tax on billionaires, Proposition 3 has received less public attention. It would apply to the top 2% of taxpayers, affecting single filers earning at least $361,000 and joint filers earning at least $721,000. “Investing in our students, our communities, and educators is one of the best investments we can make as a state,” said David Goldberg, president of the California Teachers Association. The proposition allocates 89% of its revenue to K-12 schools and 11% to community colleges, with excess funds supporting children's healthcare. Proponents urge a “Yes” vote to protect public education and healthcare during economic downturns.

LEGISLATION

New bill streamlines English learner reclassification

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill simplifying the reclassification process for English-learning students, impacting nearly 25,000 students in Stanislaus County. The new law, AB 2555, requires students to score a 4 on the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California test to be reclassified. Assemblymember Darshana Patel, who authored the bill, said: "It's my intent that this bill will allow students to reclassify at the right time." The previous process was criticized for being inconsistent and overly complex, often holding back students who had demonstrated proficiency. The law aims to create a more uniform application and reduce barriers for students transitioning to fluent English speakers.

GOVERNANCE

Election showdown: Hurd vs. Woods

In the upcoming November election, Rachel Hurd, a 20-year incumbent, will compete against Joel Woods, a political newcomer and Hayward substitute teacher, for the Area 5 seat on the San Ramon Valley USD Board of Education. Hurd emphasized the importance of maintaining the district's financial health, stating: “Maintaining the financial health of our district will be one of the Board's most important responsibilities over the next four years.” The district faces challenges due to declining enrollment and funding, ranking among the lowest-funded in California. Woods proposes that the district move into a recently purchased commercial building and create affordable housing for teachers to retain staff and boost enrollment.  

Battle for Lodi school board heats up

In the upcoming November election, former Lodi USD Board member Ron Heberle is challenging incumbent Jeff Stroh for the Area 5 seat. Heberle, who previously served three terms, emphasizes the need for higher academic standards and better resources for students, stating: “I believe that every student deserves a safe school with a high-quality education that prepares them for success.” Stroh, a longtime educator with over 30 years of experience, highlights the district's progress in fiscal responsibility and student engagement. He noted: “Functioning as a member of a dedicated team has been incredibly rewarding.”

Estrada challenges incumbent in school board race

Eriberto Estrada, a recent graduate of Pajaro Valley High School and current student at California State University Monterey Bay, is running for a seat on the Pajaro Valley USD Board of Trustees in Trustee Area 4. Estrada, who has strong ties to the district through his mother, a long-time teacher, aims to advocate for the community and improve decision-making processes. He expressed his commitment to creating "healthy, nourishing environments for children's education" and emphasized the importance of accountability in managing the district's finances. 

DISTRICTS

Bonds on the ballot for schools

In 2024, construction funded by bonds is set to begin at Edward Kemble Elementary School in the Sacramento City USD. Natomas Unified, Center Joint Unified, and Galt Joint UHSD are seeking voter approval for Measures D, E, and G in the upcoming Nov. 3 election, each requiring 55% approval. Measure D aims to borrow up to $300m for repairs and safety upgrades, while Measure E seeks $197m for classroom improvements. Measure G would authorize $43m for vocational training facilities. Notable supporters include state Sen. Angelique Ashby for Measure D and Yvonne Leggett for Measure E. "The tax is expected to raise about $22m a year," said the report.

WORKFORCE

Unlocking teacher retention secrets

Dr. Mary Rivers, founder of Teacher Retention Academy, emphasizes the need for educational leaders to adopt a tailored approach to teacher retention. "Teacher retention is a complex issue, and we have to be willing to look at the unique circumstances within each school and district," Rivers said. She advocates for starting with questions about teachers' experiences rather than jumping to solutions. Understanding what keeps teachers in their roles is as crucial as identifying why they leave. The Academy provides resources and strategies to help leaders address specific retention challenges, recognizing that factors like school culture, workload, and professional support vary across different settings. "There is no single teacher-retention formula," Rivers stated, highlighting the importance of understanding local contexts to foster environments where teachers can thrive.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Bids rejected for Von Renner project

The Von Renner Elementary School's classroom building project has hit a snag as the Newman-Crows Landing Unified District discovered that five out of seven bidders employed a nonapproved subcontractor. Consequently, the Board of Education unanimously voted to reject all bids. The project, which involves demolishing nine classroom buildings to create portable classrooms, is part of a larger renovation effort estimated to exceed $10m.  

HEALTH & SAFETY

Unsafe streets threaten SF elementary school

Marshall Elementary in San Francisco's Mission District is grappling with increasing safety concerns as hazardous conditions around the school worsen. Parents and staff reported alarming incidents, including a first grader picking up a bloody needle and a beer bottle shattering near students. Despite some city efforts, including increased police presence and street cleaning, many feel these measures are insufficient.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Judge blocks release of foreign donor names at U.S. universities

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Education from publishing the names of foreign donors who provided thousands of gifts to universities, finding that the institutions had supplied the information with the understanding that it would remain confidential. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a 28-day temporary restraining order after the Association of American Universities, which represents 69 research universities, challenged the planned disclosure. The dispute is part of the Trump administration’s increased scrutiny of foreign funding at U.S. universities. Federal law requires federally funded colleges to report gifts or contracts worth more than $250,000 from foreign sources, but the association argues that universities are required to report aggregate donations by country, rather than individual donor identities. The Education Department said greater disclosure is necessary for public accountability and plans to contest the association’s lawsuit, while the association argues that publishing donor identities could discourage contributions supporting scholarships, research, and teaching.

INTERNATIONAL

Mexico targets violent online content

Mexico’s government plans to propose legislation requiring social media platforms to remove content that incites violence following a school attack in Coahuila state that killed a vice principal and injured four people. President Claudia Sheinbaum said the government expects to introduce a bill or other legal framework that would require platforms to refrain from disseminating, promoting, or spreading content related to criminal acts or violent behavior. Sheinbaum said the proposal is intended to protect young people from exposure to violence, while adding that authorities are open to discussions with social media companies. The initiative follows similar efforts elsewhere to regulate harmful online content, while several other Latin American countries are considering measures that would restrict children’s social media access or require platforms to block violent and other harmful material aimed at minors.
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