California Superintendent Debate: Funding, LGBTQ Rights

Six candidates vying for California State Superintendent of Public Instruction

squared off in an online form hosted by EdSource this week.

They tackled hot button issues like school funding and protections for LGBTQ plus students.

These folks had to qualify by holding past public office roles

tied to education policy or oversight.

It followed a smaller in-person debate with four from the 10-person field.

Tensions ran high on LGBTQ plus rights.

Tony Barrera called out districts backtracking on trans protections,

aiming shade at rival Sanyu Shah of Chino Valley.

Shah pushed back, stressing safety for cisgender girls in sports and bathrooms.

Others like Josh Newman and Al-Marat Suchi back state laws against discrimination,

including gender neutral facilities and no forced outing of.

Students funding woes dominated too, with chronic absenteeism post-pandemic hitting

budgets hard since money ties to attendance.

Candidates debated switching to enrollment-based models for stability.

They eyed renewing Proposition 55 for more cash and tweaking Proposition 13 via split role taxes

on commercial properties to ease prop 13's long squeeze.

Josh Newman once base grants boosted and new dollars targeted smart.

Al-Marat Suchi pushes returning to top 10 per pupil spending nationwide.

Anthony Rendon and the Shell Henderson flagged enrollment drops from demographics and chaos in

classrooms. Barrera pitched teacher pay hikes, health benefits, housing and apprenticeships to build

the workforce. With the top two headed to November's general election, this debate highlights the

stakes for California schools, balancing fairness, safety, and dollars in tough budget times.

Stay informed with California News Today, AI-powered updates. I'm Corey with the story.