Volume I, No. 13

February 13, 2009

California school finance is in for a wild ride over the next 18 months; Education’s Bottom Line provides information regarding the State Budget along with other pertinent information on issues affecting school districts.  

Federal Stimulus Bill Heading to Final Votes

By David Walrath -- dwalrath@m-w-h.com

The direct appropriation provisions include:

$53.6 billion for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, including $39.5 billion to local school

districts using existing funding formulas, which can be used for preventing cutbacks, preventing layoffs, school modernization, or other purposes; $5 billion to states as bonus grants for meeting key performance measures in education; and $8.8 billion to states for high priority needs such as public safety and other critical services, which may include education and for modernization, renovation and repairs of public school facilities and institutions of higher education facilities. more...

State Superintendent Jack O’Connell Sponsors 2009 Statewide School Bond Bill

 By Patti Herrera -- pherrera@m-w-h.com

State Superintendent Jack O’Connell announced during his annual State of Education Address (http://www.cde.ca.gov/eo/in/se/yr09stateofed.asp) that he is sponsoring legislation for a 2009 school bond bill.  Assembly Member Julia Brownley (D-Santa Monica), Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, introduced Assembly Bill 220 (AB 220) as the vehicle for the statewide school bond, although the total value of the bond package is unspecified.  more...

If you have any questions on the articles in this newsletter, please contact the author of the article in question.

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Murdoch, Walrath & Holmes (MWH) has been instrumental in shaping statewide policy and implementing regulations for K-12 schools for more than two decades.  Strategic relationships have been forged with the State Administration through agencies such as the Department of Education, the State Allocation Board, the Department of Finance and the Office of Public School Construction and, on the federal level, with key Congressional Members and the Executive Branch.  MWH prides itself on having some of the best minds in K-12 education in virtually all aspects of school fiscal needs. 

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