<div>Senator Anthony J. Portantino, who represents Pasadena and surrounding areas, has successfully shepherded a bill through the California legislature that could significantly impact school funding across the state. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 98 on September 24, 2024, setting in motion a study of enrollment-based funding for K-12 schools.The Pasadena-area legislator’s bill directs the Legislative Analyst’s Office to examine the fiscal and administrative impacts of shifting from the current attendance-based model to an enrollment-based system. This study is due by January 1, 2026.“Funding based on enrollment promotes and creates greater stability for California schools and ensures funding is more equitable and predictability,” said Senator Portantino.He added that the existing system “negatively impacts too many districts across the state,” including those in the Pasadena area.Portantino’s legislation addresses a unique situation in California, which is one of only six states that does not consider enrollment figures when determining state aid to school districts. The current system relies solely on average daily attendance, which critics argue disadvantages schools with higher absentee rates, potentially affecting Pasadena schools.The bill does not immediately change California’s funding formula. Instead, it mandates a comprehensive report to be submitted to the state legislature, analyzing potential impacts and implementation strategies for an enrollment-based system.Supporters of Portantino’s bill, including the California School Employees Association and the Los Angeles Unified School District, argue that an enrollment-based model would better account for challenges faced by low-income students and schools in underserved communities. These challenges, which can affect Pasadena students, include unreliable transportation, unstable housing, and health issues that may lead to increased absenteeism.The study initiated by Portantino’s bill will examine fiscal and programmatic effects of changing the funding model, including hidden costs like tracking down missing students and preparing make-up assignments. It will also explore phase-in approaches for implementing an enrollment-based system over several years.Senator Portantino’s efforts on this bill represent the culmination of a multi-year effort to address funding inequities in California’s education system. The Pasadena community and surrounding areas may benefit from this potential shift in school funding methodology, should the study’s findings lead to future policy changes.</div>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Senator Portantino Secures Governor’s Signature on School Funding Study Bill

Senator Anthony J. Portantino, who represents Pasadena and surrounding areas, has successfully shepherded a bill through the California legislature that could significantly impact school funding across the state. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 98 on September 24, 2024, setting in motion a study of enrollment-based funding for K-12 schools.