California Budget Cuts Reduce Millions from School Facilities Budget

An agreement between Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Legislature that reduces the state’s budget shortfall by about $17.3 billion will also cut hundreds of millions from the state’s public school facilities. The Early Action Agreement Overview, signed April 4 by the governor, reduces the estimated $73 billion budget deficit with billions in cuts, delays, fund shifts, borrowing, and deferrals, according to a fact sheet from the governor’s office. Among the cuts is a $500 million reduction in the School Facility Aid Program, which provides funds to school districts for construction, deferred maintenance and emergency repairs. The reductions cut the facility program’s budget from $875 million to $375 million for the 2024-25 fiscal year....