Bay Area Schools Raise Alarm Over Newsom's Budget Proposal

Educators warn proposed funding cuts could devastate districts already facing financial strain.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:24am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty school hallway, with sunlight streaming in through the windows and casting long shadows on the floor, creating a sense of melancholy and uncertainty about the future of public education.As Bay Area schools brace for potential budget cuts, the future of public education funding remains uncertain.Fremont Today

School leaders across the Bay Area are voicing concerns over Gov. Gavin Newsom's latest budget proposal, which would withhold $5.6 billion in constitutionally mandated education funding. More than 20 Bay Area school board members have signed a letter urging state lawmakers to reject the plan, warning it could lead to larger class sizes, fewer teachers, and cuts to important school programs.

Why it matters

The proposed funding cuts come at a time when many Bay Area school districts are already dealing with rising costs, staffing challenges, and budget shortfalls. Critics argue the plan runs counter to the purpose of Proposition 98, which was designed to protect school funding even during economic downturns.

The details

Under Newsom's proposal, more than $28 million in funding could be at risk for Fremont Unified School District in the next fiscal year. Fremont Unified Board President Dianne Jones said the district is especially vulnerable, as its per-student funding is already far below state and county averages, ranking in the bottom 4%. The California Teachers Association has also sharply criticized the governor's plan, warning it could lead to over 2,400 preliminary layoff notices across more than 100 school districts statewide.

  • Newsom's proposal is still in the early stages, with state lawmakers set to debate and negotiate the budget in the coming months before a final version is approved this summer.
  • In the past month, Bay Area school districts have already issued about 2,400 preliminary layoff notices.

The players

Gavin Newsom

The governor of California who has proposed withholding $5.6 billion in constitutionally mandated education funding.

Dianne Jones

The Fremont Unified School District Board President, who has signed a letter urging state lawmakers to reject Newsom's budget proposal.

Ksenia Filippova

A Fremont parent who is concerned that the loss of funding could mean larger class sizes, fewer teachers, and cuts to important school programs.

David Goldberg

The president of the California Teachers Association, which is sharply criticizing Newsom's proposal.

Proposition 98

A California law that guarantees a minimum level of funding for K-12 schools and community colleges, which critics say Newsom's proposal would undermine.

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What they’re saying

“When a governor goes around a constitutionally passed law that our voters voted for, that sends shockwaves. It really makes the instability of our education even that much more perilous.”

— David Goldberg, President, California Teachers Association

“School classes got bigger and funding gets smaller, but prices for everything, supplies and even food get higher and higher.”

— Ksenia Filippova, Fremont parent

“This will definitely exacerbate the problem, and for many districts that are already looking at significant layoffs, this will make it absolutely worse.”

— Dianne Jones, Fremont Unified School District Board President

What’s next

State lawmakers will debate and negotiate Newsom's budget proposal in the coming months before a final version is approved this summer.

The takeaway

Newsom's proposal to withhold constitutionally guaranteed education funding has sparked widespread alarm among Bay Area school leaders, who warn it could further destabilize districts already facing financial strain and undermine the purpose of Proposition 98.