BILL ANALYSIS Ó SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair 2015 - 2016 Regular Session SB 527 (Liu) - Education finance: Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Planning Grants ----------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Version: January 13, 2016 |Policy Vote: ED. 7 - 0 | | | | |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Urgency: No |Mandate: No | | | | |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Hearing Date: January 21, 2016 |Consultant: Jillian Kissee | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- *********** ANALYSIS ADDENDUM - SUSPENSE FILE *********** The following information is revised to reflect amendments adopted by the committee on January 13, 2016 Bill Summary: This bill establishes various requirements for the grant program authorized by the Safe Neighborhoods and School Act (approved by voters as Proposition 47 in November 2014) to reduce truancy and support students who are at risk of dropping out of school or are victims of crime. This program is to be administered by the California Department of Education (CDE). Fiscal Impact: Grants to local educational agencies (LEAs): The level of funding for the program outlined in this bill is dependent SB 527 (Liu) Page 1 of ? upon savings derived from Proposition 47. As of the release of the Governor's Budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year, it is estimated that $7.3 million will be available for this program. The Governor's Budget indicates that funds expended on direct services and other instructional support for students will be counted towards meeting the state's funding obligation under Proposition 98. Administrative costs: The CDE indicates that this bill will require 3.5 positions and about $460,000 for activities including administering the grants, providing technical assistance, and collecting and analyzing data. Staff notes that current law prohibits the CDE from spending more than 5 percent of funds it receives from the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Fund for administrative costs annually. Any administrative costs not covered by the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Fund would require General Fund support. Author Amendments: Reestablish requirements for the grant program. Specifically, amendments: Require the CDE, upon an appropriation, to administer Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act planning grants to improve student outcomes, as specified. Require LEAs that apply for funding to submit a plan to the CDE that includes various components. Plans must include a description of local needs, based on specified data. Plans must describe a commitment to: aligning strategies to the LEA's Local Control and Accountability Plan; addressing the needs of each student subgroup; implementing a community schools strategy; engaging various entities; maintaining a team responsible for overall operations; and reporting on program outputs. The plans must also describe how the strategies will be sustained beyond the grant period and how they will be monitored and evaluated. Prioritize funding for LEAs that are located in communities with high crime rates or have high rates of chronic absenteeism, suspension, dropouts, or foster youth. Allow grant funds to be used for development and initial SB 527 (Liu) Page 2 of ? implementation of a community school strategy that includes, among other things, assessing and meeting the academic, social, emotional, physical health, and mental health needs of students, identifying school and community resources, and integration of services. Funds may also be used to improve or expand upon existing activities. Include legislative intent that LEAs support ongoing costs for activities pursuant to this bill. Require the CDE to conduct outreach to LEAs that qualify for priority funding, provide training and technical assistance to LEAs that receive grants, and coordinate training and technical assistance for LEAs that do not. -- END --