Education finance: school apportionments: wildfire mitigation.
The bill aims to ensure that local educational agencies can receive financial support from the State School Fund to mitigate losses in average daily attendance attributable to the disruption caused by wildfires. Specifically, AB 2228 allows for an extension of the determination period, enabling educational bodies to request adjustments to their expected funding levels based on attendance loss that may extend into the 2019-2020 fiscal year. This change is particularly pertinent for areas severely impacted by the fires, as it helps sustain funding despite fluctuating attendance during crises.
Assembly Bill 2228, introduced by Assembly Member Wood, focuses on education finance and specifically addresses the issues faced by school districts, charter schools, and county education offices in areas affected by the 2017 wildfires in California. The bill seeks to provide a framework for supplemental apportionments based on average daily attendance reductions due to emergency circumstances. It defines 'eligible local educational agencies' as those affected by a state of emergency declared by the Governor in response to wildfires during the 2017 calendar year.
The overall sentiment around AB 2228 appears positive, especially among educational leaders and those advocating for affected communities. The bill is viewed as a necessary measure to protect funding and educational stability for schools facing the consequences of natural disasters. While there might be concerns about the long-term sustainability of such financial measures, the immediate need to respond to the aftermath of the wildfires has garnered support from a majority of legislators.
Despite the general support for the bill, concerns were raised regarding its implementation and funding sources. Critics emphasized the need for accountability in how the additional funds are requested and distributed, ensuring that aid reaches the schools that are most in need. Some lawmakers questioned whether the bill adequately measures the long-term effects of natural disasters on education finance, particularly as conditions may continue to fluctuate in the years following such events.