BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



                                                                  SB 537
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   August 17, 2011

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                Felipe Fuentes, Chair

                    SB 537 (Correa) - As Amended:  July 13, 2011 

          Policy Committee:                             EducationVote:9-0
                       Veterans Affairs                       9-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program: 
          No     Reimbursable:              

           SUMMARY  

          This bill authorizes the Adjutant General of the California 
          National Guard to enter into an agreement with a school 
          governing board, to establish a military academy charter school. 
          This bill also makes a series of updating and technical 
          revisions to the existing California Cadets Corps (CaCC) 
          program.  

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Minor direct GF/98 costs. The department would absorb any 
          marginal costs that result in new CACC programs, and the 
          authorization for new military academy charter schools would be 
          funded largely within existing Prop 98 and local school district 
          budgets.

          In addition, this bill specifies that no new National Guard 
          youth program, including military charter schools, may be 
          established unless funds are specifically appropriated for this 
          purpose. 

          Notwithstanding the appropriation caveat, however, this bill 
          creates potential GF/98 cost pressure in that it creates  
          additional responsibilities for the Military Department, which 
          receives about $7 million from the state GF for its youth 
          programs, including the Oakland Military Institute (OMI) charter 
          school in Oakland.     

           COMMENTS  

           1)Rationale  . The intent of the author and sponsor, the 








                                                                  SB 537
                                                                  Page  2

            California Military Department (National Guard), is to update 
            Military and Veterans Code sections that have not been updated 
            in decades, and to authorize the SPI and school districts to 
            form military academy charter schools. 

            According to the Military Department, while there are no plans 
            or proposal to establish another military academy charter 
            school, such as the OMI, the department's Youth Programs 
            Division has been contacted by additional school districts 
            with fledgling interest in establishing a school such as OMI.  


           2)The CaCC  , founded in 1911, is a school-based program conducted 
            within a military framework that provides growth and 
            leadership opportunities for California students in 
            elementary, middle schools and high schools. CaCC program 
            objectives are academic achievement; leadership; citizenship; 
            patriotism; military knowledge and understanding; and health, 
            fitness, and wellness.

            The CaCC program, which includes about 6,500 student cadets, 
            is offered through schools and can be taken for credit. As 
            part of their training, cadets provide assistance and support 
            to school and their community. Examples include color guards, 
            participation in parades, serving as student leaders, and peer 
            mentors and escorts. The department provides administrative 
            oversight and logistical support to ensure the cadets receive 
            uniforms, supplies, equipment and the training materials. A 
            volunteer staff of Cadet Corps officers perform planning and 
            execution of statewide cadet activities.


           Analysis Prepared by  :    Geoff Long / APPR. / (916) 319-2081