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California
27th May 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Lawmakers urged to reject plan to withhold school funding

Representatives of the Education Coalition - whose members include the California Teachers Association, the California School Boards Association and the Association of California School Administrators - gathered in Sacramento to urge lawmakers to reject provisions in Governor Gavin Newsom's proposed 2026/27 budget that would temporarily withhold $3.9bn in constitutionally mandated education funding required under Proposition 98. California School Boards Association president Debra Schade said voters had passed Prop 98 "to make education funding less volatile and to provide a safety net for public schools in challenging fiscal times", and said it is "a matter of law, not a suggestion that can be discarded when it becomes inconvenient for policymakers".

BOOST ENROLLMENT

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WORKFORCE

Rising healthcare premiums drive teachers' strikes

EdSource looks at the recent trend of teachers' strikes driven, in part, by growing healthcare premiums. Six unions have won "health coverage victories" through strikes so far this year, the piece notes, while others "reached agreements with their districts on improved health benefits at the bargaining table". Heather Peske, president of the National Council on Teacher Quality, says insurance premiums "are rising faster than teachers’ salaries are increasing, and so this is, of course, making it harder for teachers to be able to afford to stay in the profession", while the California Teachers Association says some teachers are paying up to $1,600 a month in out-of-pocket costs.

San Diego County school leaders' pay revealed

The San Luis Obispo Tribune looks at pay for San Diego County's superintendents - with Cajon Valley Union School District superintendent David Miyashiro taking home the highest base pay of $419,041, followed by Anne Staffieri, superintendent at San Dieguito Union High School District and Fabiola Bagula, superintendent at San Diego Unified School District, both earning around $350,000.

LEGAL

Sequoia UHSD settles antisemitism lawsuit

Sequoia UHSD has reached a settlement in a lawsuit filed by six families alleging that Woodside and Menlo-Atherton high schools failed to address rising antisemitism. The agreement mandates that teachers clear materials related to the Gaza conflict with an independent reviewer, enhances the complaint investigation process, and includes mandatory annual antisemitism training for staff. The district will pay $325,000 to the families and hire an outside investigator to ensure compliance with the settlement. Attorney Ryan Weinstein, representing the parents, said: “We believe this represents the most comprehensive, legally binding set of anti-antisemitism reforms ever adopted by a public school district in the United States.” The lawsuit highlighted incidents of antisemitism, including slurs and the display of swastikas on campus, prompting the need for these reforms.

POLICY

More districts rethink use of devices

The LA Daily News looks at Los Angeles USD's recent decision to stop giving devices to younger students and introduce new limits on device usage and screen time across the district's schools. The piece notes the role of the pandemic, and the shift to remote learning, as a key driver in accelerating the use of devices in schools, driving the expansion of the edtech industry and leaving schools facing rising costs to buy and maintain devices. Other districts are now turning away from ubiquitous devices, driven partly by repair and replacement costs - which have reached $4m a year at the Fresno USD - and partly by the inappropriate use of devices and concerns over screen time.

DISTRICTS

No disproportionate harm from school merger proposals

Total School Solutions, commissioned by the Board of Education, has completed a report on potential school mergers being considered by the Pasadena USD - concluding that no student groups would be disproportionately harmed by any of the proposals. The firm's analysis "finds no evidence that any proposed closure would disproportionately harm any racial, ethnic, or student subgroup", adding that "consolidation scenarios consistently show the potential to expand academic programming, strengthen athletic offerings, improve instructional resources, and create more equitable access to enrichment opportunities than smaller, under-enrolled schools can sustain independently".

Corning City Council to vote on school officer

The Corning City Council will meet on Tuesday to consider an agreement with Corning UHSD for a school resource officer (SRO) for the next two years. The current contract is expiring, and the new agreement will see CUHSD pay $131,500 in the first year and $135,450 in the second year for the SRO's services on campus for 210 days. Additionally, the council will discuss a memorandum for the school district to use the city pool for a summer camp program, costing about $1,000 per day. The council will also vote on accepting a $50,000 grant from The McConnell Fund for resurfacing the Northside Park lap pool, which has an estimated total cost of $150,000. Lastly, they will support Corning High School's application for the Caltrans Active Transportation Program to improve pedestrian safety near the school. 

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Canoga Park High gets $155m upgrade

The Los Angeles USD has initiated a $155m modernization project at Canoga Park High School, marking a significant transformation in the school's history. The development includes new classroom buildings, a cafeteria, wellness offices, and more. LAUSD Board President Scott Schmerelson emphasized that this project reflects the community's shared mission and values, stating: “Today represents much more than the start of construction.” Lorena Padilla, LAUSD Director of Community Outreach, expressed gratitude to voters for funding the improvements. The school, originally opened in 1914, has a rich history, including the demolition of its Greek-style buildings after earthquake damage in 1971. 

Rustic Lane Elementary gets a makeover

As Rustic Lane Elementary School embarks on a two-year renovation, students and staff will temporarily relocate to the Pacific Avenue Academy of Music starting in fall 2026. This move is part of a modernization project funded by Measure V, a $180m bond approved by voters in 2024. The renovation will replace 18 portable classrooms with permanent ones and introduce new facilities, including a media center and upgraded restrooms. Jurupa USD spokesperson Jacquie Paul said: “This option ensures the highest level of student safety by eliminating on-site construction hazards.” The two schools will operate independently but share common spaces, with Rustic Lane students arriving 45 minutes earlier than their Pacific Avenue counterparts.  

GOVERNANCE

New superintendent takes the helm

Davina Goldwasser will assume the role of superintendent for Petaluma City Schools on July 1, succeeding Matthew Harris. Goldwasser, a Marin County resident, expressed her enthusiasm, saying: "I am excited to lead the transformation of a district that has a strong foundation." The appointment is pending today's Board approval.

TECHNOLOGY

AI can't replace human touch

The San Mateo UHSD recently held a study session to discuss the role of AI in education. Participants, including teachers, parents, and trustees, emphasized the importance of maintaining authentic human interactions in the classroom. Dominic Bigue, the district's tech coordinator, said: “So much of how we develop as people is through our interactions.” The task force aims to explore how AI can enhance learning without replacing essential human connections. Trustee Greg Land noted the need for careful use of AI, stating: “With all tools, you have to be careful.” The district plans to establish guidelines for AI use, ensuring it supports rather than undermines student learning. Long-term goals include developing an AI literacy curriculum and redesigning assessment practices to reflect proper AI use.

INTERNATIONAL

Japan schools face language strain

Japan’s public schools have a record 84,759 students needing help learning Japanese, according to a government survey from May 2025. The figure has nearly doubled over the past decade and increased by more than 15,600 since 2023. Foreign nationals made up most of the total, with 73,313 students, while 11,446 Japanese nationals also needed language support. Nearly 40% of public schools now have such students, but about 9,700 are not receiving assistance amid staff, funding and regional resource shortages.
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