What the candidates for superintendent of schools have to say

Here is a link to FAQ for local control funding formulas, with information about the conditions for receiving the local control funding, grade span adjustment, etc.: https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/ aa/lc/lcfffaq.asp#k3gsa.

Here are the candidates’ statements on ROP funding, emailed to the Appeal-democrat last week:

Incumbent Bal Dhillon: In 2012-2013 Governor Brown revolutionized educational funding. In doing so, Gov. Brown stopped funding ROP (Regional Occupational Programs) through county offices and instead redirected funding to all California students attending public schools in grades 9-12.

CTE (Career Technical Education) has grown over the past 5 years. Classes such as medical assistant through our partnership with Yuba City Unified, welding and automotive with our partners at Yuba College are a few examples of growth in Sutter County.

Looking toward the future, we will continue to find better ways of preparing students to enter the workforce upon graduation from high school. As an example, we currently offer two welding classes for students in the 11th and 12th grade at our local high schools. At the end of the two courses, students earn a certificate that opens the door to jobs that earn $12 - $15 an hour. However, by offering welding classes all four years, students will earn a certificate that opens the door to jobs that earn $30 to $40 an hour after graduation. It’s all about providing students with the opportunity to gain a livelihood.

After all of the public interest in CTE, my hope is that we continue this conversation and work together to bring this issue to the source of all CTE funding, the State of California. With all of the positive movements in CTE funding over the past several years, this is the time to work together to help the State realize how much we care about CTE and the positive impacts on students and communities.

Challenger Tom Reusser: My goal is to restore a level of funding (2017-2018 levels at a minimum) to support CTE programs in our local schools. School funding in California changed a few years back. ROP funds (that were generated by high school students) were lumped into the general fund under the LCFF (local control funding formula). The current county superintendent (other than state and federal mandates) has 100% control on how the money is spent. It is her choice! The elimination of funding ROP to local high schools is clear evidence that it is not a priority of the current superintendent.

Not every student is going to go to college. It is our obligation as educators to create as many opportunities as we can for our students. Eliminating ROP is eliminating opportunities!