Sacramento Scene: Newsom’s Budget Maintains Public School Funding Despite Projected Economic Troubles
By Matt Patton
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The California economy is projected to take a downturn, and as a result, the California Proposed Budget is a bit more conservative than the previous two years. However, despite the slowed economy, the current budget maintains most education funding levels without withdrawing from the Public School Systems Stabilization Account (PSSSA). The PSSSA account is a rainy day fund established to help maintain constant levels of funding for education in California.
K-12 Education
The January proposed budget allocation for Proposition 98 (K-14 Education) funding for the 2023-2024 academic school year is $108.8 billion. This amount is a $1.5 billion decrease from the 2022 Budget Act. Despite the overall decrease, per pupil spending will actually increase on account of the continued decline in public school enrollment throughout the state.
Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, and full-day Kindergarten continue to be a priority for Governor Newsom and these programs see continued support in the 2023-24 proposed budget.
The budget also addresses the shortage of teachers in the state by providing resources to the Golden State Teacher Grant program, the Classified School Employee Teacher Credential Program, National Board Certification Incentive Program, and funding to waive teacher examination fees for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
The passage of Proposition 28 in 2022 by a majority of California voters established the Arts and Music in Schools – Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act. This act requires that one percent of Prop 98 funds be allocated to schools for art and music instruction. As a result, the proposed 2023-24 California State Budget includes $941 million to fund prop 28.
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California Ends Plans for Kids’ Covid Vaccine Mandate
By EdSource
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California state leaders seem to be quietly closing the door on the Covid-19 vaccine mandate for school children.
The California Department of Public Health hasn’t made an announcement, but officials told EdSource that the end of the state’s Covid-19 state of emergency on Feb. 28 effectively ends its current plan to add Covid-19 vaccinations to the list of 10 vaccinations children are required to have to attend school in person.
“We continue to strongly recommend Covid-19 immunization for students and staff to keep everyone safer in the classroom,” stated the email from the department. “Turnkey mobile vaccination services remain available for any K-12 school within the state.”
The statement went on to say that any changes to required K-12 immunizations are properly addressed through the legislative process. There are no bills mandating school vaccinations currently pending in the Legislature. Read more about California’s vaccine mandate here.
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Interest-Free Youth Lending Program for Livestock Projects |
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Golden State Farm Credit is offering a youth lending program that helps FFA members buy and care for their junior livestock projects. The program includes interest-free financing and educational information that helps students with project finances and budgeting. Livestock exhibitors who live in Butte, Fresno, Glenn, Kings, Shasta, Tehama, Trinity, and Tulare counties are eligible. Restrictions apply to this program; applications should be submitted early to qualify for funding. For more information on the Youth Lending Program, contact Kris Costa at (800) 834-8698 or visit https://goldenstatefarmcredit.com/youth-lending-program.
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Supporters ‘Give the Gift of Blue,’ All Chapters To Receive FFA Jackets |
Thanks to another successful Giving Tuesday, the California FFA Foundation raised enough funds for every chapter in the state to receive two free FFA jackets. These jackets are to be given by the chapter to dedicated FFA members who cannot afford to purchase their own jackets. Every chapter in California is eligible to apply.
Complete the Jotform (one per chapter) and the FFA Foundation will submit your order to National FFA on your behalf. Be sure to have your chapter number, shipping address, jacket types and sizes, and scarf and tie preferences before you start the form. If you have any questions, please contact Heather Casjens at hcasjens@californiaffa.org.
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Wilco’s chapter grant program supports chapters that need funding for special projects that will make an impact on their FFA chapter or greater community. Selected projects will receive $250 - $4,000 grants, and ALL active California FFA chapters are eligible. Previously funded projects have included chapter equipment and facility improvements like greenhouses and land labs, educational activities, and service projects. Applications will close February 24, 2023. Be sure to visit click here for grant requirements and application details.
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FFA Field Day Opportunities in 2023 |
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Are your students ready to showcase their knowledge, demonstrate agricultural skills, and grow as leaders? Check out this spreadsheet of CDE FFA Field Days in California.
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Featured Field Day: Cal Poly State FFA Judging State Finals |
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Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is looking forward to welcoming FFA chapters to campus on Saturday, May 6, for the State FFA Judging State Finals. Registration is currently open on JudgingCard (link is included below) and will be open until April 20. Late registration fees will apply for those who register April 21-27. Additional contest details will be shared in late March.
New for 2023: A separate invitational for Food Science and Technology will take place on Saturday, May 6. This year the event will be limited to four teams.
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Blue Diamond Growers Foundation Scholarship |
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Do you live in an almond producing area of California? Your students might be eligible for a scholarship from the Blue Diamond Growers Foundation. Since 2008, the Blue Diamond Foundation has awarded nearly 175 scholarships to help students in local communities achieve their dreams of a college education. Apple by visiting: bluediamondgrowers.com/scholarship-program. Application deadline is March 31, 2023.
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National FFA News and Updates
Compiled by Jason Ferreira, Hanford High School Ag Teacher and National FFA Teacher Ambassador
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Celebrate National FFA Week!
Each year, FFA chapters around the country celebrate National FFA Week. From February 18-25, FFA members will get loud about FFA—what the organization stands for and the impact it has on members every day. National FFA has created a variety of resources, including an implementation guide for FFA advisors and student leaders, to make your National FFA Week a success!
DEKALB Agricultural Accomplishment Award
Sponsored by Bayer Crop Science, this award is presented to one FFA senior per chapter who exemplifies scholarship, commitment, work ethic, and passion for pursuing an agricultural career. These promising young leaders are agriculture’s rising stars. FFA advisors can nominate students now through March 31.
NEW RESOURCE: AgCareers.com Agriculture and Food Career Guide
Help students dive into the endless endless opportunities of potential agricultural careers. This brand new guide helps students navigate and use the tools and resources in the AgCareers.com Agriculture and Food Career Guide. The resource helps students identify their strengths and weaknesses, and make a plan to help prepare them for their future careers. https://ffa.app.box.com/s/ixk3fud2977dlnq23oc5526rawlmrr37
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Thank You Corporate Members!
The California Ag Teachers Association appreciates the commitment of our corporate members who support agricultural education.
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