2021 Merced County Schools Annual Education Report

2021

MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS

REPORT EDUCATION ANNUAL

Despite Obstacles, We Have Plenty to be Proud of

Thank you for taking time to learn more about Merced County schools and all of the work educators do across the county for our students and families.

It has been a complex two years since schools were suddenly closed, reopened, closed and then reopened again for the COVID-19 health crisis. Since then, we have all navigated a complicated series of state mandates and health guidance while dealing with staff shortages and supply chain issues.

Thank you to school leaders, educators and other school employees for your continued work to focus on our most important mission: educating and providing a safe environment for our students. I want to also thank the parents who have endured the uncertainty and adjusted to the ever-changing situation for so long.

There is hope in this next year as many health experts believe the COVID-19 pandemic will evolve into an endemic virus.

I don’t want the stress from the past two years to overshadow all of the good work in our schools across the county.

As you will see in this report, we have plenty to be proud of.

The collaboration between MCOE and partners like Merced County Probation, Workforce Investment and our school districts gives students at all levels a chance to succeed.

We highlight these specific partnerships in this year’s annual report because of how they impact our local workforce and provide training opportunities for adults who are looking for a second chance.

For the first time in its nearly 50-year history, the Virginia Smith Trust awarded grants and scholarships to high school seniors in Merced. As you’ll see in this report, the potential to support students and the community is astonishing thanks to the Smith family.

We know the importance of early education

for our youngest students and the benefits of the child care aspect for parents to go to work and school. Merced County Head Start and Early Head Start increased slots across the county, giving more students and families access to early education opportunities.

We welcomed students back to Camp Green Meadows after nearly 20 months of virtual lessons and are finalizing work on the outdoor school’s new nurse’s station, which will give students of all abilities the opportunity to enjoy the unique program.

While we will continue to have challenges from the past two years, I am confident the dedicated staff here at MCOE and in the local districts across Merced County will continue to deliver on the promise to prepare all children for a bright future.

Steve M. Tietjen, Ed.D. County Superintendent of Schools

I don’t want the stress from the past two years to overshadow all of the good work in our schools across the county.

Nathan Quevedo

Production/Content Editor

Hector Ramirez

Graphics & Content Organization

Kathleen Ochoa

Writer & Content Organization

Dylan McMullen

Photography & Videography

Nate Gomes

Video Editing & Production

Doug Huggins

Print Shop

Jaime Ramirez

Print Shop

Superintendent Tietjen advocates for in-person instruction at the Winton School District during Governor Gavin Newsom and California Secretary of Health & Human Services Dr. Mark Ghaly’s visit in November 2021.

MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS

A Look Back at Our Schools

Merced County schools were incorporated more than 160 years ago in 1856 when the first County Superintendent of Schools, William Nelson, petitioned the Board of Supervisors to divide the county into three school districts.

The 1860 census reported a population of 1,141 in Merced County, and in 1863, the County Superintendent reported an enrollment of 267 children and a county schools budget of $1,000.

The first high school was established in 1895 with 27 students and two teachers under the administration of the County Board of Education. In 1897, a new high school was completed on the corner of 22nd and M Streets in Courthouse Square.

Today, there are 20 school districts with their own Boards of Trustees and Superintendents serving more than 58,000 TK-12th grade students with Steve M. Tietjen, Ed.D., serving as the 29th County Superintendent of Schools.

Merced Union High School District encompasses eight elementary districts

DENNIS HANKS Area 1

Le Grand Union High School District encompasses three elementary districts

COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

Roles and Responsibilities

What exactly does a County Superintendent of Schools do?

The main role of the County Superintendent is to create a network of support for students in all 20 school districts in Merced County.

The County Superintendent does not directly oversee the local school districts or their superintendents; each local board of education is elected and charged with that responsibility. Some of the duties shared by all 58 County Superintendents are oversight of school district budgets, approval of district Local Control and Accountability Plans, and supervision of the education for incarcerated students.

Charged with the responsibility to provide support for districts as they implement the latest curriculum frameworks adopted by the State Board of Education, the County Superintendent is also the most recognized advocate for youth when it comes to keeping Sacramento and local elected officials aware of students’ needs.

Today’s County Superintendent has to understand current pedagogy and support the science of improvement and be willing to take on tough issues in dealing with the problem of poverty and how it impacts student performance.

During the past two years of the COVID-19 health crisis, Dr. Tietjen has been the unifying voice of all 20 districts as educators worked to bring students back to school in 2020 and keep them in school in 2021. The County Superintendent is responsible for the entire MCOE operation as all MCOE employees are employed by the superintendent, not the County School Board.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Elected to 4-year term - no term limit

Chief Executive of Merced County Office of Education

Serves as Executive Director of Virginia Smith Trust

Leads Merced County Superintendent Administrative Council

Lead Communicator for Education in Merced County

The County Superintendent serves on numerous boards and committees that advocate for the children in the K-12 public school system, including:

Court Appointed Special Advocates

Workforce Investment Board

Merced County Education Foundation

Continuum of Care

Association of California School Administrators

Central Valley Education Coalition

Superintendent Tietjen works with internal Communications staff to provide messaging about the importance of in-person instruction.

The Role of the County Office

The main function of a County Office of Education is to support local school districts by providing services, leadership and oversight.

In California, the public education system consists of three levels: state, county and local. The state level establishes regulations, funding and policies at the California Department of Education and the State Board of Education; the county level is where COEs operate to support school districts and aid them in their mission of delivering quality education to students; and the local level consists of individual school districts that are responsible for the day-to-day education of students.

Some of the services provided by COEs include assisting districts with academic performance initiatives, providing professional development for staff and ensuring school districts are fiscally responsible and secure.

Most COEs also take on the responsibility of supporting student events, arts and outdoor education as well as initiate programs that directly serve non-traditional students — for example, students who have been expelled, incarcerated or on probation, students with significant special needs, and early learners.

STATE

The California Department of Education (CDE), State Board of Education (SBE) and state legislature make up the state level and are responsible for regulations, funding and policies.

COUNTY

The 58 County Offices of Education make up the county level and serve as support systems for school districts and as liaisons for the state.

LOCAL

There are more than 1,000 individual school districts throughout the state that make up the local level and are responsible for the day-today education of students.

Did You KNOW?

MCOE does not directly oversee or govern local school districts

Merced County Office of Education serves as an oversight agency for school district budgets and Local Control and Accountability Plans, coordinates teacher credentialing and the county-wide substitute teacher list and hears student expulsion appeals from school districts.

MCOE does...

Ensure school districts are fiscally accountable and solvent

Approve school district Local Control and Accountability Plans

Provide professional development opportunities

Provide high-quality outdoor education programs

Host student events and academic competitions

Assist districts with expanded learning opportunities

Serve Migrant Education students and families in three counties

Manage Head Start and Child Care Subsidy Programs

Operate Wired Café and serve students with special needs in all 20 school districts

Livingston Counselor Wins National Award

Social-emotional well-being plays a significant role in quality of life for students and has remained a priority for counseling professionals in Merced County, especially during the COVID-19 health crisis.

Alma Lopez of the Livingston Union Elementary School District, who was selected as the 2022 School Counselor of the Year by the American School Counselor Association, is a perfect example of counseling professionals’ dedication to students. In the nationwide awards program, Ms. Lopez was recognized for her extraordinary work and commitment to supporting students during a complex time in education.

2021 Summer Programs Keep Students Active

MCOE’s Educational Services Department launched a unique summer program to accelerate learning in a hands-on, STEAM-based approach.

The Outdoor Adventure program developed Migrant Education students’ observation skills and allowed them to establish a deeper understanding of the natural world through multiple field trips to the Merced River. It also gave them the opportunity to rediscover and reconnect with other students, which was something that they had not been able to do since the shutdown.

Family Math Nights, developed by Migrant Education, helped migrant families stay involved over summer break. The program focused on problem-solving skills and encouraged students and their parents to work together to find solutions.

GRADUATION RATES

Above State Average

Merced County public high school graduation rates rose slightly through the first full year of the COVID-19 health crisis, with 4,208 high school seniors donning caps and gowns in 2021.

While all seven school districts’ graduation rates listed remained above 90%, the Merced County high school graduation rate average is at 90.3%. This is because some student groups are not included in these districts’ data. The 9% that did not graduate include special education students who received a certificate of completion, students that opted for a fifth year and students who dropped out of school. The Merced County average also includes incarcerated students and court and community school students, which tend to have lower graduation rates. Despite this, the Merced County high school graduation rate continues to remain 6.7% above the state average of 83.6%.

%

2020-21 GRADUATION RATES

Source: California Department of Education Four-year adjusted graduation rate cohort outcome

COUNTY OFFICE PROGRAMS

HAS SEVERAL LARGE DEPARTMENTS THAT OPERATE PROGRAMS TO SERVE STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND SCHOOL STAFF ACROSS MERCED COUNTY.

EARLY EDUCATION EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

Serving Merced County’s youngest students is crucial for their education and social-emotional well-being in addition to the child care component that allows parents to work and go to school. The Early Education Department has two divisions: Head Start/Early Head Start and Early Education Support Programs.

Merced County Head Start/Early Head Start provides a comprehensive child development program to children 0-5 years old from income eligible families and children with exceptional needs at 18 sites across Merced County.

The EESP division supports children, families, and all early learning and care programs throughout the county. Programs include Alternative Payment Subsidy Programs (ACCESS), Child Care Resource and Referral, Quality Counts! Merced/Mariposa, Local Child Care Planning Council, California Preschool Instructional Network Region, Home Visiting Programs, Family Resource Center, and Parent Engagement.

1,157 Program’s total funded enrollment

From teacher and school administrator professional development to Expanded Learning instruction for students across the county, Educational Services provides a wide array of support to staff and students. Educational Services content experts visit school sites and host trainings in multiple subject areas so educators have the newest tools to excel in the classroom.

The department also provides teacher and school administrator credentialing services, along with technology support, leadership training and college and career programs for both youth and adults. Educational Services directly instructs students at several nontraditional school sites, including Merced Scholars Charter School, Valley Community Schools and incarcerated youth. Educational Services also operates after school programs, Camp Green Meadows Outdoor School and the Migrant Education program, which serves students in Madera, Merced and Stanislaus Counties.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Students with special needs require a variety of specialized care, and MCOE’s Special Education department provides a wide range of services for these children and young adults. Services include special classes for students with significant disabilities, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program, the Emotional Disturbance Program, Adaptive Physical Education Services, Occupational and Physical Therapy, the Visually Impaired Program, the Orthopedically Impaired Program, Early Start Infant Care, Autism Programs, Speech and Language Development, Nursing and Health Assistance and Transition Programs for Young Adults.

Special Education also operates the Merced County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), which ensures quality special education programs and services are available throughout the region. Special Education also operates Wired Cafe that serves as a training ground for students in the transition program.

BUSINESS SERVICES & HUMAN RESOURCES

Internal office operations ensure that schools have qualified educators in the classroom, staff to maintain schools and facilities and the financial ability to do so.

The Business Services Department serves MCOE and the 20 school districts in Merced County with accounting and fiscal oversight, information technology, along with maintenance and operations.

Human Resources oversees personnel and payroll functions for more than 1,300 MCOE employees. The department also provides credentialing and background clearance services for all school districts in Merced County and maintains the countywide substitute teacher list.

MCOE

Ready to Return

After more than a year of distance learning for some children, all Merced County students prepared to return to inperson classes for the 2021-22 school year and MCOE launched a regionwide media campaign to show the community that the classroom is the best place for students to learn and thrive.

The Ready to Return campaign was created to address these concerns and raise public awareness on the mitigation measures schools implemented to prepare for students and staff to return. Billboards, TV commercials, radio and newspaper ads were created to make sure that the messaging could reach all corners of the community.

Merced County Public Health Director Dr. Rebecca Nanyonjo-Kemp was a key spokesperson and video talent for the Ready to Return campaign, which emphasized vaccinations as ideal protection against the health crisis.

This billboard located on Highway 59 in Merced was one of several across the county to promote the return to school and in-person instruction.

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Programs Help Students Prepare for Future

One of the most important roles of public schools is to ensure students are prepared for higher education and to enter the workforce upon high school graduation. MCOE operates several programs and collaborates with public and private partners to implement training programs and on-site job training programs. High schools across the county operate career technical education programs ranging from Automotive and Construction trades to Healthcare and Hospitality and even courses that focus on Entrepreneurship.

Through career technical education courses, students develop academic, technical and interpersonal skills and can earn college credits along with advanced career-technical training.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES

The Automotive Technology Program is designed to equip students with the technical skills required in automotive services and repair. Students receive instruction in the classroom, shop and practical applications at the Center for Applied Technology at Castle Airport. The program can help students get certified to work in automotive technologies. In 2022, MCOE plans to launch a professional truck driving program to train students for their Class A driver’s license.

HEALTH CAREERS

The healthcare industry offers many highpaying jobs that do not require a college degree. From Sports Medicine and Medical Technologies to Certified Nursing Assistant programs, students can get a head start on a healthcare career. In the CNA program, students learn patient care, observation, and communication skills with an emphasis on caring for the geriatric resident in a long term care facility. New to Atwater High School this year, students can earn a nursing certification upon graduation and learn from a Merced College CNA instructor.

Career Sectors in Merced County

Many high schools in Merced County offer a multiyear sequence of courses that integrate core academic knowledge with technical knowledge to provide students with a pathway to postsecondary education and careers.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Arts, Media, and Entertainment

Building and Construction Trades

Business and Finance

Education, Child Development, and Family Services

Energy, Environment, and Utilities

Engineering and Architecture

Fashion and Interior Design

Health Science and Medical Technology

Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation

Information and Communication Technologies

Manufacturing and Product Development

Scan code with your phone’s camera or visit bit.ly/mcoe-workforce-dev

Marketing Sales and Service

Public Services

Transportation

ADULT EDUCATION WORKFORCE TRAINING

Not only does MCOE serve primary and secondary school students, but it also serves adults with career training, job placement and gives them a pathway to complete their high school diploma. Partnerships with private businesses, Worknet and Merced County Probation make these programs a success and provide participants with job skills, selfsustainability and the feeling of self-worth for providing for themselves and their families.

EMPOWER

The Empower Program provides job training and educational assistance to help out-ofschool youth ages 16-24 transition to college and/or a career. This program is a partnership with the Merced County Workforce Investment Board and serves more than 300 young adults annually.

Scan

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

PHOENIX PROJECT

A partnership with the Merced County Probation Department, the Phoenix Project helps adults who were formerly incarcerated gain education, job training and other support to integrate back into society. The program provides participants with vocational and aptitude assessments, personalized career action plans, assistance with GED and high school diplomas, vocational training and college enrollment, along with financial aid, one-on-one mentoring and other supportive services. There are 65 students so far this year, this number also includes some of the graduates this fiscal year.

COME BACK CHARTER

MCOE’s Come Back Charter School is an independent study program for students 18 and older that provides individualized learning plans with a mix of online course work, presentations and general instruction focused on college and career readiness. The independent study format offers flexible hours to accommodate work and day care responsibilities. Enrollment fluctuates between 80-94 and varies throughout the year. As of today the program serves 82 students.

ADULT ROP

The Adult Regional Occupational Program offers practical career training for adult students to prepare them for long-term employment. Many of the programs provide training in a variety of different industries and give students the opportunity to intern at local businesses. Training curriculum, instructional materials, equipment and facilities are all reviewed by local business and industry partners to ensure that students receive high-quality training.

The Tradition

Camp Green Meadows Outdoor School welcomed students back to the sprawling campus in Fish Camp after nearly 20 months of closure to in-person activities

Unlike a traditional school, Camp Green Meadows is funded through contracts with school districts, so the operations were significantly impacted and virtual lessons were developed so students could still engage in the experiential learning program.

Located just two miles from the south entrance of Yosemite National Park, Camp Green Meadows is an outdoor school owned and operated by MCOE and has provided generations of Merced County students with unforgettable outdoor learning experiences through a week-long residential outdoor program.

After being forced to cut the 2019-2020 school year short and closing for the entire 2020-21 school year, Camp Green Meadows was happy to welcome students of the Merced City School District back with a limited capacity in November 2021. During its closure, the outdoor school kept busy and focused on several areas of need including the modernization of facilities; one top priority being the brand new nurse’s station which now has the capacity and resources to accommodate visiting students of all abilities.

Camp Green Meadows has provided students with valuable outdoor learning experiences for the past 60 years and looks forward to continuing the tradition for many more.

NEW NURSE’S STATION

The new nurse’s station has a footprint of 3,840 square-feet featuring a new camp office, exam room, two infirmary rooms, nurse staff living quarters, special needs student/care giver living quarters and conference space.

CAMP GREEN MEADOWS

PROMISE THE KEEPING

For nearly 50 years, the Virginia Smith Trust has remained committed to fulfilling the promise of helping “worthy, deserving and needy” students in Merced achieve academic excellence. Since its inception, the VST has benefitted nearly 3,700 students through $6 million in scholarships.

Early Years 1970s

A brief history of the VIRGINIA

SMITH TRUST

1920s - 1970 - Virginia Smith left Merced as a young teen and spent her life traveling and in the service of others. She kept strong ties to her hometown and the friends that lived there.

1971 - After Virginia’s death, the remainder of her estate was left to the Merced County Board of Education to provide scholarships that would benefit “worthy, deserving and needy” children of her hometown.

1975 - The Virginia Smith Trust was formally established.

1976 - The VST board voted to fund $25,000 in scholarships for the academic year.

In the Spring of 2021, the VST expanded its scholarship program by offering $400,000 in scholarships to active juniors or seniors in college. The VST Board decided to also make scholarships available to graduating high school seniors for the first time. To bring awareness to scholarship availability and the

1990s

1996 - The planning process for the new University of California began. The UC chose 2,000 acres within the 2,550 acres that was defined as the “university area.”

1903 - Virginia Smith was born on July 14th not long before the Smith Family built a house in Merced.

1995 - The University of California Board of Regents voted to locate the tenth university campus on the Virginia Smith Ranch.

opportunities that VST can provide for local students, the VST Board allocated $100,000 in grant money for all qualifying students and set up a grant process to identify and reward students who have actively prepared for college.

Nearly 200 students from El Capitan, Golden Valley and Merced High filed an application in November 2021. Each high school senior in the City of Merced that met scholarship

criteria was awarded a $500 grant that could be used to pay for admission fees, housing deposits or other pre-enrollment expenses. An additional $500,000 was set aside in scholarships for both new and returning applicants from the graduating class of 2022.

The VST Board is excited by this new direction and foresee the VST scholarship fund growing again as the property development continues.

Superintendent Tietjen awarded $500 grant checks to 197 students from El Capitan, Golden Valley and Merced High Schools in February 2022. This is the first time the Virginia Smith Trust has awarded grants to high school students.

2000s Present Day and Future Plans

2002 - Transfer of the Virginia Smith ranch to the university was completed.

2005 - The University of California, Merced opened its doors for the first time.

Scan code with your phone’s camera or visit bit.ly/vst-grant

In the 50 years since it was established, the Virginia Smith Trust has benefitted nearly 3,700 students through $6 million in scholarships. Continuing to keep the promise of helping students in Merced pursue higher education. The goal is to develop the land to provide for infrastructure needs of the university and the new community that would take shape around it, and integrate it with city and county growth plans.

June 2017 – June 2021

Only third and fourth year college students eligible

*Beginning in 2022, seniors in high school eligible in Merced City

* Beginning in 2025, seniors in all Merced County high schools may be eligible

VIRGINIA SMITH TRUST

VST GRANT VIDEO

Some Special Events Return to In-Person

An important service of a County Office of Education to school districts is the coordination of student events that highlight outstanding achievement. MCOE hosts events throughout Merced County that encourage students to get involved and strive for success at the local and state levels. Events range from the Children’s Symphony, the Merced County Spelling Bee, Speech and Writing Festivals to the Academic Pentathlon and Decathlon and many more. One of the largest events of the year, the Merced County Academic Decathlon, awards scholarships to nearly 30 students each year in partnership with the Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union.

MCOE hosted many hybrid or fully virtual events which ensured that students had the opportunity to stay involved even if they couldn’t participate in person. The Merced Symphony Association and the UC Merced Opera both created virtual programs that reached a record number of students throughout Merced County and beyond. In December 2021, the transition back to in-person events began when MCOE hosted the Merced County Spelling Bee at the Downtown Professional Development Center.

Recognizing the Best of the Best

Ateacher, a master mechanic and a technology systems director received county-wide honors at the 2021 Excellence in Education program presented by MCOE and the Educational Employees Credit Union.

Adan Moreno, a master mechanic from Delhi Unified School District, was named employee of the year. Paoze Lee, a technology systems director from Dos Palos-Oro Loma Joint Unified School District, was named administrator of the year and Pamela Atkinson, a language arts/ history teacher from Merced City School District, received the teacher of the year award.

In its 16th year, there were nine nominees for administrator of the year, which included a team nomination, nine nominees for school employee of the year and 12 nominees for teacher of the year. The program is open to school districts across Merced County with award categories for teachers, administrators and school employees.

Pamela Atkinson Merced City School District

Teacher of the Year

Adan Moreno Delhi Unified School District

Administrator of the Year

The Merced County Education Foundation supports programs and activities that create educational experiences for students outside of the classroom. The Foundation consists of four areas of focus: Outdoor Education at Camp Green Meadows, Visual and Performing Arts, College and Career Readiness and STEM Education.

CAMP GREEN MEADOWS COLLEGE & CAREER

A trip to CGM gives students the opportunity to build social skills and self-esteem while learning in a hands-on outdoor environment. For students who may have missed the regular year experience, the MCEF, as part of a generous donation, assists with providing summer camp experiences for those students and foster and disadvantaged youth. With the brand new nurse’s station completed in 2021 and other facilities renovated, there is even more space and resources to accommodate students of all levels. The next campaign to improve the 60-year-old campus includes cabin improvements and updates.

STEM EDUCATION

In 2016, in partnership with the Merced County Office of Education, the first Merced County STEM Fair took place and saw 20 projects where students from 5th through 8th grade competed for spots to attend the California State Science Fair. Through this partnership, the STEM Fair provides more than 30 projects each year. Six projects are eligible to advance to the state competition and represent Merced County at the California Science and Engineering Fair.

Want to Support MCEF?

A focus on college and career readiness will increase student success rates along with the local economy. Students need help to explore college and career options, gain employability skills, prepare for advanced education and training, learn new job skills or increase work experience in addition to developing skills for specific fields. Scholarships are provided for students through ROP and CTE programs to further their education. An important part of preparing students for college and career is improving literacy of all residents. Little Lending Libraries were installed in areas to increase accessibility for students in every community.

VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS

MCEF assists with MCOE’s Visual and Performing Arts Program to ensure funds are available for Arts Now Merced and special arts events, like the Merced County Honor Choir, the UC Merced Opera for Children and the Merced Symphony Association’s Children’s Concerts. MCEF’s goal is to offer these and many other arts programs to Merced County students to expose them to a wide variety of visual and performing arts opportunities. MCEF works with local arts programs to provide additional scholarships and funding.

Stacie Arancibia, Executive Director 209-381-6602 | sarancibia@mcoe.org

Record Funding for Public Education

Governor Newsom released his 2022-23 budget proposal in January which addressed several of the “greatest challenges our state” will face. His proposal fully funds the state’s rainy-day fund and pays down future obligations, as well as investments in behavioral health reform, crime-fighting strategies and housing for people exiting homelessness. Record investments in public schools include launching universal transitional kindergarten, expanding afterschool and summer programs and providing universal no-cost school meals. Another component streamlines pathways from K-12 to higher education to connect degrees to careers.

IMPROVING LONG TERM FISCAL STABILITY

The proposed budget reflects $34.6 billion in reserves, including $20.9 billion in the Proposition 2 Budget Stabilization Account (Rainy Day Fund) for fiscal emergencies; $9.7 billion in the Public School System Stabilization Account; $900 million in the Safety Net Reserve; and $3.1 billion in the state’s operating reserve.

The Budget accelerates the paydown of state retirement liabilities as required by Proposition 2, with $3.9 billion in additional payments in 2022-23 and nearly $8.4 billion projected to be paid during the next three years.

* Includes one-time funding from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund. ** Based on projections. Estimates are finalized at end of school year based on daily attendance.

The Budget projects the State Appropriations Limit, or “Gann Limit,” will likely be exceeded in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 fiscal years. Any funds above this limit are constitutionally required to be allocated evenly between schools and a tax refund.

PROPOSITION 98 – K-14 SCHOOL FUNDING

Proposition 98 is a voter-approved constitutional amendment that guarantees minimum funding levels for K-12 schools and community colleges (collectively referred to as K-14 schools). The upward revision of general fund revenues has resulted in significant increases in the guarantee. Proposition 98 funding for K-12 schools and community colleges for 2022-23 is $102 billion — an increased investment of $8.2 billion above the level funded in the 2021 Budget Act, and the highest level ever of state funding for K-14 schools.

FACILITIES FUNDING

The Kindergarten through Community College Public Education Facilities Bond

Act of 2016 (Proposition 51), approved by voters in November 2016, authorized $7 billion in state General Obligation bonds to support K-12 school facilities construction. These funds support new construction, modernization, retrofitting, career technical education, and charter school facility projects. The Budget allocates the remaining Proposition 51 bond funds –approximately $1.4 billion – to support school construction projects.

Because Proposition 51 bond authority is expected to be exhausted in 2022-23, the Budget proposes approximately $1.3 billion one-time spending in 2022-23 and $925 million one-time spending in 2023-24 to support new construction and modernization projects through the School Facility Program.

EARLY CHILDHOOD

The Governor’s 2022-23 budget proposal includes additional investments in early childhood. Guided by the Master Plan for Early Learning and Care, the governor proposes a 5.33% COLA and Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK).

MERCED COUNTY BUDGET K-12 ENROLLMENT

Stifel is a diversified global wealth management and investment banking company focused on building relationships that help individuals, families, and organizations pursue their financial goals.

1549 McHenry Ave, Modesto, CA 95350 (209) 353-4730 | www.stifel.com