Education Law Attorney Christine Wood Discusses Debate on How to Fund California’s Public Schools
Wood Authors Daily Journal Article Addressing Attendance vs Enrollment Funding
Best Best & Krieger LLP (BBK) Education Law Attorney Christine Wood recently authored an article for Daily Journal addressing the debate on how to best fund public schools in California. Wood explains that California’s ongoing debate over school funding has evolved into a larger conversation about whether schools should continue receiving money based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA) or overall student enrollment.
In the article, she notes that Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposal to temporarily redirect $5.6 billion in school funding has intensified concerns among large school districts, which argue the money is constitutionally guaranteed under Proposition 98. At the center of the conflict is whether the current ADA model unfairly disadvantages districts with high absenteeism, specifically those serving low-income communities, students of color and families affected by housing instability, health challenges and immigration enforcement concerns.
Ultimately, Wood suggests the broader challenge is balancing accountability for attendance with equitable, sustainable funding for schools in a changing educational landscape.
Daily Journal subscribers can read Wood’s full article here.
