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California
5th November 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Barrera declares victory in California education race

Richard Barrera, president of the San Diego USD, declared victory over Republican Sonja Shaw in California's superintendent of public instruction race, although votes remain uncounted. Barrera campaigned on increased school funding, inclusive learning environments and strengthening public education, receiving more than $9m in independent support from the California Teachers Association. Shaw emphasized parental rights, restrictions on transgender athletes and challenges to school library materials. The election comes as California restructures the superintendent's office, transferring significant authority to a governor-appointed official. Barrera plans to advocate for education funding and policy priorities under Governor-elect Xavier Becerra. The candidates also differed on Proposition 3, which would maintain higher income tax rates for the wealthiest 2% of residents to support education funding.

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NATIONAL NEWS

U.S. teacher pay falls behind global peers

U.S. public school teachers earn significantly less than other college-educated professionals, with a new Brookings Institution analysis ranking the United States last among more than 30 industrialized countries for primary school teacher pay relative to other graduates. The study found that American primary school teachers earn approximately two-thirds of what other college graduates receive annually, while separate research from the Economic Policy Institute revealed a 25% teacher pay gap in 2025. Brookings also highlighted a long-term decline in the proportion of public school spending allocated to teacher salaries, falling from 57% in 1919 to 26% in 2019, partly reflecting increased investment in staffing rather than higher wages. According to the National Education Association, average teacher salaries reached $74,495 during the 2024–25 school year, up 3.5% annually but still 5% below levels from a decade earlier after adjusting for inflation. The findings have prompted renewed discussion about targeted pay increases for teachers in hard-to-staff schools, specialized subjects, and high-performing roles as districts contend with tightening budgets and declining enrollment.

GOVERNANCE

Orange County voters make school choices

Orange County voters recently participated in local school district elections, impacting various boards including Newport-Mesa USD and the Fountain Valley School District. In Newport-Mesa, incumbent Michelle Murphy led with 67.23% of the votes against Craig Holiday. Meanwhile, in Fountain Valley, Board President Dennis Cole was ahead with 10,008 votes. Diana Marks was also leading in Huntington Beach City School District with 54.55% support. In Laguna Beach, Joan Malczewski and her challengers were poised for significant wins, reflecting a community eager for change. Additionally, Measure A in Laguna Beach received strong backing for $83m in bonds to upgrade school facilities, with 67.13% approval.

Inland Empire Family PAC backs school board candidates

The Inland Empire Family PAC endorsed eight candidates for school board elections across various districts, but early results showed many trailing behind their opponents. Notably, Temecula Valley school board President Joseph Komrosky was behind David Sola, while Ronda Bowen and Brian Emmert also fell short in their bids. In Hemet, incumbent Kenneth Prado trailed Erin Wolbeck, and Dr. Dale Broome faced a similar fate against Patty Holohan in Redlands. The PAC's candidates aimed to implement tighter controls on curriculum and library materials, advocating for parental involvement in education. Critics argue that these efforts often stigmatize LGBTQ+ students and divert funds from essential educational needs. The PAC previously succeeded in 2022, securing five of seven endorsed candidates, but this year's results indicate a challenging landscape for their endorsed candidates. 

Republican candidates lead school board races

Early election results indicate that candidates affiliated with the Republican-aligned “Common Sense Crew” are leading in the Western Placer USD board races. Incumbent Marjorie Proffitt is ahead with 53% of the vote against Laura Cox, while Quinn Eichhorst leads Ankhesenamun Marioni with 53% to 45%. Proffitt, a nutritionist and fitness manager, emphasized fiscal responsibility and parental involvement in her campaign. Eichhorst, a worship pastor, focused on parental rights and supporting teachers. In another race, Megan Roskiewicz leads Michelle Kubo with 51% of the vote, advocating for teacher retention and school safety. The controversies surrounding these elections reflect broader national debates on education, with issues like the cancellation of an ethnic studies course and the use of “The Hate U Give” in classrooms drawing attention.

Close race for Merced County schools

A close race is underway for the position of Merced County Superintendent of Schools, with Ana Boyenga leading Richard Lopez by a narrow margin of 51.25% to 48.75%. As of early unofficial results, Boyenga has secured 15,647 votes compared to Lopez's 14,881. Boyenga currently serves as the assistant superintendent of the Atwater Elementary School District, while Lopez is the superintendent of the Merced River School District. The county superintendent oversees school district budgets and educational programs, including those for incarcerated students. Steve Tietjen, the current superintendent, announced his retirement effective December 2026, prompting this competitive election.

Incumbents lead in Hesperia USD election

In the recent Hesperia USD elections, incumbents made strong early showings. District Board Area 2 incumbent Christian B. Steen led with 1,192 votes, accounting for 38%, followed by Thomas Joseph Kerman with 967 votes (31%) and Genevieve Johnston with 948 votes (30%). In Board Area 3, incumbent Eric Swanson secured 1,219 votes (54%) against Caitlin Jones, who garnered 1,046 votes (46%). Meanwhile, in Board Area 5, incumbent Mark Dundon maintained his lead with 1,964 votes (56%) over Francis “Fran” Herdlein, who received 1,529 votes (43%). The San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters will update election results every two hours until all ballots are counted, with a deadline of Dec. 2 to certify the results.

Henigin triumphs in Palo Alto School Board race

Linda Henigin has emerged victorious in the Palo Alto School Board election, overcoming controversy regarding her title as a “math teacher” on the ballot. Early results indicate that Henigin, who aims to raise teacher pay, received the most votes, while her critic Avery Wang came in second. Voters selected two candidates for the five-member board, and if results hold, Henigin and Wang will replace Shounak Dharap and Shana Segal, who opted not to seek reelection. Henigin's campaign faced scrutiny due to her lack of a math teacher credential, but a court ruled she could retain her ballot title. Former superintendent Don Austin's influence loomed over the race, as many voters recalled Henigin's support for him.

Trustee race heats up in Rocklin

In the recent election for Rocklin USD's Area 2 trustee seat, incumbent Michelle Sutherland held a slight lead with 52% of the vote over fellow incumbent Tiffany Saathoff, who garnered 47%. The election marked the district's transition to district-based elections, which began in 2024. Sutherland, a board-certified behavior analyst, emphasized student safety and fiscal responsibility in her campaign. Saathoff, chief of staff to Assemblymember Joe Patterson, focused on college readiness and parental involvement. In Trustee Area 4, Rebecca Hoehne led with 58% against Steve Makis, while in Area 5, incumbent Dereck Counter had 55% over Jacob Boyce.  

Hurd dominates san ramon valley race

In the San Ramon Valley USD Board of Education election, Rachel Hurd, a 20-year incumbent, is leading with 66.18% of the vote against challenger Joel Woods, who has 33.82%. The district faces challenges with declining enrollment and funding, making fiscal stewardship a priority. Despite San Ramon having a median home sale price of around $1.5m, it is among the lowest-funded districts in California. Meanwhile, in the Mount Diablo USD, incumbent Brian Thomas Lawrence leads with 68.07% for the Trustee Area 4 seat, while Dorothy Weisenberger and Jane Baulch-Enloe compete for the Trustee Area 2 seat, with Baulch-Enloe currently ahead at 54.91%. 

Aguilar takes lead in Apple Valley USD board race

In the recent Apple Valley USD Board elections, Roman Mora Aguilar III has taken an early lead over incumbent Maria U. Okpara, receiving 795 votes (40.42%) compared to Okpara's 755 votes (38.38%). In Board Area 2, incumbent Amanda Buchanan leads with 1,007 votes (39%), while in Board Area 5, Marc Lacey has garnered 1,495 votes (44.23%). The San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters will continue updating election results every two hours until all ballots are counted, with a deadline of December 2 to certify the results.  

Election night leads for Davis School Board

In the early election returns for the Davis Joint USD Board of Education, Colleen Zern, Joe DiNunzio, and Elizabeth Moon held significant leads. Zern led Trustee Area 1 with 85.6% of the vote, while DiNunzio had 68.4% in Area 3, and Moon commanded 88.5% in Area 4. The results reflect voter support amid challenges like declining enrollment and budget issues. Zern, an attorney and UC Davis lecturer, is vying for the seat of outgoing President Hiram Jackson. DiNunzio, first elected in 2018, emphasized his commitment to advancing educational programs. Moon, who was first elected in 2022, focused on mental health services and teacher recruitment. "The results provided an early indication of voter support for the school board's direction," officials noted. Additionally, Measure W, proposing a 1,250-unit development, received 72% voter support.

FINANCE

Inland Empire Schools await bond results

Inland Empire school officials are anxiously awaiting the results of various bond measures aimed at upgrading aging campuses. Early results from the November 3 election indicate that while many measures are leading, they may not meet the required 55% approval threshold to pass. “Although the measure appears unlikely to pass, the needs it was intended to address remain,” said Monica Gutierrez, spokesperson for Murrieta Valley USD regarding Measure M. Notably, Measure Y in the San Bernardino Community College District is performing well, with Chancellor Diana Rodriguez expressing gratitude for community input. “The early results are encouraging,” Rodriguez said, highlighting the importance of the bond for local education. As votes continue to be counted, the fate of these measures remains uncertain.

WORKFORCE

Gustine schools set for negotiations

Gustine USD (GUSD) and the California Schools Employees Association, Gustine Unified Chapter 539, are preparing to negotiate for the 2026-27 school year after the Board of Trustees approved the Sunshine Proposals. The union aims to amend contract language regarding hours, overtime, working conditions, and health benefits. In response, GUSD proposed changes related to evaluations and vacation policies, requiring 12-month employees to submit vacation requests before the school year. Previously, a three-year collective bargaining agreement was reached in April, granting CSEA members a 2% salary increase. The contract allows for two changes to be negotiated through 2026-27 and 2027-28, with discussions on technology and cell phones postponed. In June 2025, a tentative agreement was reached, including a salary increase and an additional $500 contribution plan for the 2025-26 school year, with GUSD contributing $250 each year.

DISTRICTS

Richmond promise earns Education Champion Award

Contra Costa County Schools Superintendent Lynn Mackey and the county Board of Education have honored Richmond Promise with the Education Champion Award for its decade-long commitment to helping students pursue higher education and career opportunities. Mackey said: “Students in our county need education champions like Richmond Promise to make connections and give them a leg up to pursue their dreams.” Since its inception in 2016, Richmond Promise has awarded over $14m in scholarships, with 91% of recipients identifying as people of color or indigenous and 64% being first-generation college students.

TECHNOLOGY

Google backtracks on plan to block school search access

Google has reversed its decision to deny schools access to its search engine if they opted out of its Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) products, following widespread criticism from politicians, educators, and technology experts. The company initially announced that both Google Search and Gemini would be disabled for K-12 student accounts unless administrators explicitly enabled them, with executives suggesting schools rejecting AI would also lose search access. However, following objections from former Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Google clarified that schools can independently enable Search without adopting Gemini. The apparent reversal came within hours of the initial announcement, with Google confirming that the services have separate administrative controls. Ann Skeet of Santa Clara University said Google’s apparent reversal reflects a growing recognition that educators, rather than technology companies, should control how technology is used in schools.

HIGHER EDUCATION

UC faces math readiness crisis

The University of California (UC) is at a critical juncture regarding its admissions policy as it reviews data on student performance in math. The Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools (BOARS) will examine reports detailing the rising failure rates in introductory math courses, with 18% of students struggling last year. Pamela Brown, UC’s vice president for institutional research, said: “The numbers aren’t where we want them. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that that’s the end of the story.” In response, UC campuses are redesigning courses and enhancing support services to help students improve their math skills. Some campuses are also considering whether calculus is necessary for certain science programs. As UC prepares to make a recommendation on reinstating the SAT and ACT for admissions by February, the final decision will rest with the UC Board of Regents in the summer.

INTERNATIONAL

Afghanistan’s education system under growing strain

UNESCO and UNICEF have warned that Afghanistan’s education crisis is worsening, with approximately 53% of primary school-age children outside formal education and more than 2.6m girls barred from schooling beyond sixth grade. Their latest report highlights mounting pressure on the education system as the school-age population has increased from 10.4m in 2019 to 11.5m in 2024, compounded by insufficient investment, recurring emergencies, and the arrival of more than 1m returnees this year. Although public primary school enrollment reached approximately 6.6m in 2025, growth has failed to keep pace with demand, while fewer than half of fourth-grade students demonstrated minimum language proficiency. Higher education enrollment remains significantly below pre-Taliban levels, with 208,000 students in 2026 compared with approximately 430,000 in 2020, as women remain excluded from universities. The UN agencies have called for the restoration of educational rights for girls and women, increased investment in teachers and learning resources, and urgent action to prevent long-term damage to Afghanistan’s development.

Alberta proposes political neutrality rules for universities alongside 2% tuition cap

The Alberta government has introduced legislation requiring post-secondary institutions to remain politically neutral and protect freedom of expression, while limiting tuition increases for Canadian students to 2% during the 2027–28 academic year. Bill 38 would prevent institutions from taking official positions on political, social, or ideological issues, although students, faculty, and administrators would retain the right to express personal opinions. The legislation also proposes minimum standards for student conduct codes, while the government has announced plans to remove parental income from student loan eligibility assessments, making approximately C$118m ($84.54m) in additional loans available within the existing budget. The proposals follow recommendations from a 2025 expert panel on higher education. However, opposition lawmakers and student representatives have criticized the measures for failing to address broader funding pressures, rising living costs, and uncertainty over tuition increases beyond 2027–28.
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