Winter 2021
In quick time, the new year has given us new ideas, new shifts and new unknowns. In a presidential transition year and an incoming vice president from California, we can anticipate increases in CA advocacy issues including local educational advocacy efforts. State, region, and charter Legislative Action teams remain active supporting educational resources, finances, and increasing needs of students and school administrators. ACSA Vice President for Legislative Action (VPLA) efforts continue to focus on building relationships with local officials and developing grassroots advocacy within charters. The past few months Legislative Action activities include:
- New date and format for ACSA’s annual Legislative Action Day: Monday and Tuesday, April 12 and 13. The event will be virtual and will include increased conference-like opportunities for all ACSA members with flexible timing and our traditional meetings with representatives for each region’s ACSA team on Tuesday.
- Legislative Action Day includes the Friend of Education Award. The Friend of Education Award recognizes a state or federal elected or appointed politician or bureaucrat who has demonstrated continued leadership on behalf of California public education through legislative contributions, political efforts or meaningful long-term commitment(s). All nominations must be completed on this form (forms.gle/mBuibykT9odzwanv7) by February 1, 2021. If you have any questions about this form, please contact Kristy Tchamourian at .
- The Governor’s Safe Schools for All Proposal outlined several increases in funding from grants to expedite in-person instruction. With a focus on safety, mitigation (masks, etc.), and reducing student isolation, the governor looks to use the LCFF formula, Prop 98 dollars to incentivize bringing students back to in-person instruction. The incentives come with strings, not the least of which is testing mandates of weekly or bi-weekly timelines, CDPH COVID safety plan, and a requirement to return to negotiations with labor groups. Deadlines are currently less than 30 days away, but are expected to shift.
- Federal funding from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act is expected with an estimated $6.7 billion or $1,070 per pupil in California before February 1. Significant summer learning programs and plans to use federal funding to offset learning loss are upcoming.
- ACSA’s Mid-State Conference, Friday and Saturday, March 5 and 6, will include a Legislative Roundtable with local area representatives and ACSA Governmental Relations staff on Saturday at 2:15 p.m. The focus will be on AB10, plans for a hybrid distance/face-to-face instruction in reopening our schools. In addition, we will speak to equity as it relates to learning loss, digital divide, social emotional health, and accountability.
ACSA understands this is a stressful time for all members and is mindful to be flexible and help reduce the stress and demands being placed on members. Please contact me if I can support you in any way.
Jason M. Hodgson, Ed.D.
VP Legislative Action, ACSA Region XI
661-381-6930