REVISED: SD UNIFIED SUPERINTENDENT REACTS TO EDUCATION FUNDING IN GOVERNOR’S BUDGET

EDITOR NOTE ON CORRECTION: I made a mistake that has been corrected in the new version that is attached and pasted below.  In the third paragraph it should have originally read "$509 million in ongoing Proposition 98 funds…" not "billion" as it originally did. Please excuse the mistake and thank you for the grace. James Canning

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                  Media Contact:

                                                                                                James Canning, jcanning@sandi.net, 313-580-2845

 

SD UNIFIED SUPERINTENDENT REACTS TO EDUCATION FUNDING IN GOVERNOR'S BUDGET

District Wants Governor to Fully Appropriate Remaining $5.6B in Proposition 98 Funding  

 

SAN DIEGO (JANUARY 9, 2026) – San Diego Unified School District's Superintendent is encouraged by Governor Gavin Newsom's total investment in public education, but the district is urging the governor to spend all available Proposition 98 on students instead of withholding $5.6 billion. 

 

"We are encouraged by the investments Governor Newsom is making in our public schools and appreciate his administration listening to school districts about what we need. Now the real work begins to determine how it affects our district's upcoming budget," said Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D., San Diego Unified School District. "We understand the importance of cautious budgeting, but the proposition 98 funds should be fully appropriated, and we are urging him to do so." 

 

San Diego Unified leaders are currently determining how the discretionary block grant funding, continued investment in Community Schools, support for educators, and the $509 million in ongoing Proposition 98 funds to support Special Education will support our district.    

 

Earlier this year, Superintendent Bagula, along with parents of special education students outlined a new direction for special education services, and advocate for more federal and state funding for the woefully inadequate funding San Diego Unified receives for special education. The district spends more than $400 million annually on special education, but only receives approximately $125 million from state and local funding sources, which also includes just $30 million from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

 

In December, San Diego Unified joined seven large California urban school districts to urge Governor Newsom to make sustained and strategic investments for public schools in the 2026-27 state budget, including:

• Invest in Special Education and Behavioral Supports: Increase funding support for students with moderate and severe disabilities and invest in early learning behavioral supports.
• Fully Fund the Proposition 98 Guarantee: Ensure all of the state's 2026-27 protected education funding is used to support students and public schools as intended. 
• Use One-Time Funds to Eliminate Deferrals and Increase Local Flexibility: Eliminate prior-year payment deferrals and fully fund the Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant. Any remaining funds should be provided to districts with maximum flexibility through a higher-than-required COLA or a discretionary block grant to sustain effective local programs and close achievement gaps.
• Strengthen and Increase Investments in the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF): Fund the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) above the statutory minimum to help districts manage rising costs for health care, pensions, insurance, and labor agreements—especially as declining enrollment diminishes the impact of the COLA; and modernize LCFF because current low-income thresholds no longer capture the needs of many California families.
• Provide Relief for Immigration-Related Impacts: Urge the State to mitigate the fiscal effects disruptions from federal immigration enforcement are having on schools.  

 

The other school districts that authored the letter were Fresno Unified, Los Angeles Unified, Long Beach Unified, Oakland Unified, Santa Ana Unified, San Bernardino City Unified, and San Francisco Unified. Read the letter here.

 

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James Canning (He/Him) Executive Director Strategic Communications & Information San Diego Unified School District   Mobile: 313-580-2845 Office: 619-725-5578 Email: Jcanning@sandi.net   4100 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103   www.sandiegounified.org

 

 

From: Canning James
Sent: Friday, January 9, 2026 12:50 PM
To: James Canning <james.e.canning@gmail.com>
Subject: SD UNIFIED SUPERINTENDENT REACTS TO EDUCATION FUNDING IN GOVERNOR'S BUDGET

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             Media Contact:

                                                                        James Canning, jcanning@sandi.net, 313-580-2845

 

SD UNIFIED SUPERINTENDENT REACTS TO EDUCATION FUNDING IN GOVERNOR'S BUDGET

District Wants Governor to Fully Appropriate Remaining $5.6B in Proposition 98 Funding  

 

SAN DIEGO (JANUARY 9, 2026) – San Diego Unified School District's Superintendent is encouraged by Governor Gavin Newsom's total investment in public education, but the district is urging the governor to spend all available Proposition 98 on students instead of withholding $5.6 billion. 

 

"We are encouraged by the investments Governor Newsom is making in our public schools and appreciate his administration listening to school districts about what we need. Now the real work begins to determine how it affects our district's upcoming budget," said Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D., San Diego Unified School District. "We understand the importance of cautious budgeting, but the proposition 98 funds should be fully appropriated, and we are urging him to do so." 

 

San Diego Unified leaders are currently determining how the discretionary block grant funding, continued investment in Community Schools, support for educators, and the $509 billion in ongoing Proposition 98 funds to support Special Education will support our district.    

 

Earlier this year, Superintendent Bagula, along with parents of special education students outlined a new direction for special education services, and advocate for more federal and state funding for the woefully inadequate funding San Diego Unified receives for special education. The district spends more than $400 million annually on special education but only receives approximately $125 million from state and local funding sources, which also includes just $30 million from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

 

In December, San Diego Unified joined seven large California urban school districts to urge Governor Newsom to make sustained and strategic investments for public schools in the 2026-27 state budget, including:

• Invest in Special Education and Behavioral Supports: Increase funding support for students with moderate and severe disabilities and invest in early learning behavioral supports.
• Fully Fund the Proposition 98 Guarantee: Ensure all of the state's 2026-27 protected education funding is used to support students and public schools as intended. 
• Use One-Time Funds to Eliminate Deferrals and Increase Local Flexibility: Eliminate prior-year payment deferrals and fully fund the Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant. Any remaining funds should be provided to districts with maximum flexibility through a higher-than-required COLA or a discretionary block grant to sustain effective local programs and close achievement gaps.
• Strengthen and Increase Investments in the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF): Fund the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) above the statutory minimum to help districts manage rising costs for health care, pensions, insurance, and labor agreements—especially as declining enrollment diminishes the impact of the COLA; and modernize LCFF because current low-income thresholds no longer capture the needs of many California families.
• Provide Relief for Immigration-Related Impacts: Urge the State to mitigate the fiscal effects disruptions from federal immigration enforcement are having on schools.  

The other school districts that authored the letter were Fresno Unified, Los Angeles Unified, Long Beach Unified, Oakland Unified, Santa Ana Unified, San Bernardino City Unified, and San Francisco Unified. Read the letter here.

###

 

 

James Canning (He/Him) Executive Director Strategic Communications & Information San Diego Unified School District   Mobile: 313-580-2845 Office: 619-725-5578 Email: Jcanning@sandi.net   4100 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103   www.sandiegounified.org

 

 

SD UNIFIED SUPERINTENDENT REACTS TO EDUCATION FUNDING IN GOVERNOR’S BUDGET

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             Media Contact:

                                                                        James Canning, jcanning@sandi.net, 313-580-2845

 

SD UNIFIED SUPERINTENDENT REACTS TO EDUCATION FUNDING IN GOVERNOR'S BUDGET

District Wants Governor to Fully Appropriate Remaining $5.6B in Proposition 98 Funding  

 

SAN DIEGO (JANUARY 9, 2026) – San Diego Unified School District's Superintendent is encouraged by Governor Gavin Newsom's total investment in public education, but the district is urging the governor to spend all available Proposition 98 on students instead of withholding $5.6 billion. 

 

"We are encouraged by the investments Governor Newsom is making in our public schools and appreciate his administration listening to school districts about what we need. Now the real work begins to determine how it affects our district's upcoming budget," said Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D., San Diego Unified School District. "We understand the importance of cautious budgeting, but the proposition 98 funds should be fully appropriated, and we are urging him to do so." 

 

San Diego Unified leaders are currently determining how the discretionary block grant funding, continued investment in Community Schools, support for educators, and the $509 billion in ongoing Proposition 98 funds to support Special Education will support our district.    

 

Earlier this year, Superintendent Bagula, along with parents of special education students outlined a new direction for special education services, and advocate for more federal and state funding for the woefully inadequate funding San Diego Unified receives for special education. The district spends more than $400 million annually on special education but only receives approximately $125 million from state and local funding sources, which also includes just $30 million from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

 

In December, San Diego Unified joined seven large California urban school districts to urge Governor Newsom to make sustained and strategic investments for public schools in the 2026-27 state budget, including:

• Invest in Special Education and Behavioral Supports: Increase funding support for students with moderate and severe disabilities and invest in early learning behavioral supports.
• Fully Fund the Proposition 98 Guarantee: Ensure all of the state's 2026-27 protected education funding is used to support students and public schools as intended. 
• Use One-Time Funds to Eliminate Deferrals and Increase Local Flexibility: Eliminate prior-year payment deferrals and fully fund the Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant. Any remaining funds should be provided to districts with maximum flexibility through a higher-than-required COLA or a discretionary block grant to sustain effective local programs and close achievement gaps.
• Strengthen and Increase Investments in the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF): Fund the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) above the statutory minimum to help districts manage rising costs for health care, pensions, insurance, and labor agreements—especially as declining enrollment diminishes the impact of the COLA; and modernize LCFF because current low-income thresholds no longer capture the needs of many California families.
• Provide Relief for Immigration-Related Impacts: Urge the State to mitigate the fiscal effects disruptions from federal immigration enforcement are having on schools.  

The other school districts that authored the letter were Fresno Unified, Los Angeles Unified, Long Beach Unified, Oakland Unified, Santa Ana Unified, San Bernardino City Unified, and San Francisco Unified. Read the letter here.

###

 

 

James Canning (He/Him) Executive Director Strategic Communications & Information San Diego Unified School District   Mobile: 313-580-2845 Office: 619-725-5578 Email: Jcanning@sandi.net   4100 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103   www.sandiegounified.org

 

 

SD UNIFIED TO CLOSE SCHOOLS FOR SDEA’S ONE-DAY LABOR STRIKE FEBRUARY 26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 

Link Addressing SDEA Claims Posted Here

 

Media Contact: James Canning, 313-580-2845 / Jcanning@sandi.net 

 

SD UNIFIED TO CLOSE SCHOOLS FOR SDEA'S ONE-DAY LABOR STRIKE FEBRUARY 26
Families Will Need to Make Other Arrangements for Students Because School Will Close  

 

SAN DIEGO (JANUARY 8, 2026) – San Diego Educator Association (SDEA) members have announced a one-day school strike for February 26, 2026 regarding Special Education staffing issues as part of a statewide California Teacher's Association initiative to bring educator pay and benefits in alignment with generous school districts like San Diego Unified.

  

"We will honor the SDEA strike and close schools on February 26, 2026. Families should begin to find alternative arrangements for their children for that day, " said Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D., San Diego Unified School District. "Closing schools for one day will ensure that students are not placed in situations where adequate supervision, instructional continuity, and campus safety cannot be reliably maintained. I am deeply committed to protecting instructional time and will ensure that this learning is fully recovered."

 

The District's decision to close schools during the one-day strike is driven by a careful assessment of student safety, supervision, and the District's ability to operate schools in an orderly and responsible manner during a work stoppage that is expected to significantly reduce available certificated staffing. 

 

The make up date for classes will be on March 9, 2026 to ensure students receive the instructional time and services to support their success. 

 

Right before Winter Break, SDEA members voted to go on a one-day strike. This strike means they have filed claims against some of the district's practices, but San Diego Unified negotiators have already offered solutions that SDEA negotiators are still considering.      

   

"Our educators are among the highest paid in the region, receive comprehensive benefits fully funded by the District, and work in classrooms with some of the lowest class size ratios in the region," said Superintendent Bagula. "We have put concrete solutions on the table that remain under consideration, and we remain committed to bargaining in good faith and reaching an agreement that keeps students at the center. "

 

San Diego Unified School District fully supports its educators:  

• Salaries and benefits are one of the highest in San Diego County
• Salaries and benefits nearly 10% higher than California average
• District pays the full cost of medical, dental and vision premiums for educators and their family members
• 90% of District budget goes to salaries and benefits
• 97% of full-time special education teacher positions are filled
• Special education teacher caseloads are less than state maximum 
• District committed to building affordable housing for 10% of workforce     

 

To learn more here is a link to a detailed website that outlines how San Diego Unified School District supports its educators. 

 

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James Canning (He/Him) Executive Director Strategic Communications & Information San Diego Unified School District   Mobile: 313-580-2845 Office: 619-725-5578 Email: Jcanning@sandi.net   4100 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103   www.sandiegounified.org

 

 

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CA Urban School Districts Call for Sustained Education Investments in 2026–27 State Budget

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            Media Contact: James Canning
                                                                                313-580-2845 / jcanning@sandi.net

 

Editor Note: Attached is the letter sent to Governor Gavin Newsom

 

CA Urban School Districts Call for Sustained Education Investments in 2026–27 State Budget
Leaders urge full Proposition 98 funding, local flexibility, and investments for other needs

 

SAN DIEGO (DECEMBER 18, 2025) — Leaders of eight large California urban school districts today advocated to California Governor Gavin Newsom urging sustained and strategic investments for public schools in the 2026-27 state budget.  

 

The letter, dated December 17, 2025, from Fresno Unified, Los Angeles Unified, Long Beach Unified, Oakland Unified, Santa Ana Unified, San Bernardino City Unified, San Diego Unified, and San Francisco Unified asks the state to take many actions, including providing an adequate cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA), modernizing the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) to meet current economic realities, provide flexible funding to support local priorities, and delivering more funding for special education programs.

 

Representing districts that serve more than 15 percent of California's students, these urban district leaders offered the following recommendations for the development of the 2026–27 state budget:

• Fully Fund the Proposition 98 Guarantee: Ensure all of the state's 2026-27 protected education funding is used to support students and public schools as intended. 
• Use One-Time Funds to Eliminate Deferrals and Increase Local Flexibility: Eliminate prior-year payment deferrals and fully fund the Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant. Any remaining funds should be provided to districts with maximum flexibility through a higher-than-required COLA or a discretionary block grant to sustain effective local programs and close achievement gaps.
• Strengthen and Increase Investments in the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF): Fund the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) above the statutory minimum to help districts manage rising costs for health care, pensions, insurance, and labor agreements—especially as declining enrollment diminishes the impact of the COLA; and modernize LCFF because current low-income thresholds no longer capture the needs of many California families.
• Provide Relief for Immigration-Related Impacts: Urge the State to mitigate the fiscal effects disruptions from federal immigration enforcement are having on schools.  
• Invest in Special Education and Behavioral Supports: Increase funding support for students with moderate and severe disabilities, and invest in early learning behavioral supports.
  
  

"I join my fellow urban school district superintendents in urging Governor Newsom to provide the sustained funding we need to serve our students both academically and with their social-emotional needs, as we continue to close opportunity gaps and prepare the next generation of leaders," said Fresno Unified Superintendent Misty Her. "Districts need flexible funding to address local priorities, along with strategic investments in special education programs and to mitigate immigration-related impacts, declining enrollment and ongoing financial uncertainty."

 

"California's largest urban school districts are united in urging the state to protect the academic progress our students have made," Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho, Los Angeles Unified School District, said. "Fully funding Proposition 98, strengthening the Local Control Funding Formula and providing districts with flexible resources are essential to closing opportunity gaps and sustaining student success, especially amid fiscal uncertainty and potential federal cuts."

 

"Public schools are the heart of our communities, and sustained investment is what allows us to serve and support our students," said Long Beach Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Jill A. Baker. "As the state considers the 2026–27 budget, we respectfully urge Governor Newsom to protect and sustain funding for public education. These investments translate directly into critical academic and social-emotional student supports, and stronger outcomes for families in Long Beach and across California."

 

"Urban school districts are experiencing the impacts of the economy, federal funding changes, declining enrollment, and immigration issues more than other California districts because we have more students, and more students and families impacted by these challenges in their own lives," said Oakland Unified Superintendent Dr. Denise Saddler. "Oakland Unified joins our fellow urban districts in calling on Governor Newsom to provide more support to enable all of us to serve our students and communities in the way they need and deserve."

 

"The common focus of all our priorities is to ensure that the State maintains a priority for urban school students who are increasingly facing the challenges of poverty and an array of social issues," said Mauricio Arrellano, Superintendent San Bernardino City Unified School District. 

 

"Looming uncertainty around federal education funding requires the state to provide California public schools fiscal certainty. State investments are essential for us to be able to continue our momentum of improving student outcomes and closing persistent opportunity gaps," said Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D., San Diego Unified School District. "All of the investments outlined in our letter are important, but we are very focused on special education programming. The underfunding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is taking a financial toll on our budget."    

 

"I am thrilled to represent San Francisco in this coalition of superintendents across California to strengthen investments for our public schools. We look forward to working with our state leaders to secure a bright future for every student in our care for generations to come," said Superintendent Dr. Maria Su, San Francisco Unified School District. 

 

 

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James Canning (He/Him) Executive Director Strategic Communications & Information San Diego Unified School District   Mobile: 313-580-2845 Office: 619-725-5578 Email: Jcanning@sandi.net   4100 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103   www.sandiegounified.org

 

 

NEWS RELEASE: Mira Mesa High School Students Celebrate Completion of Modern Student Services and Classroom Facility

Broll & sound of the event can be found here.

Event photos can be found here.

Drone videos of before, during, and after construction and project fact sheets for completed projects can be found here.

 

 

 

 

News Release 

 

Mira Mesa High School Students Celebrate Completion of Modern Student Services and Classroom Facility 

 

December 18, 2025 

 

SAN DIEGO - Mira Mesa High School’s new classroom and student services facility is now complete and ready for staff and students to use when they return for the new year. 

 

Students and staff celebrated the milestone on Thursday with Board of Education Vice President Sabrina Bazzo and Superintendent Dr. Fabi Bagula, accompanied by cheer performances and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

 

Located at the front entrance on Marauder Way, the new facility is part of the second phase of the Whole Site Modernization project and serves as the main entryway to the campus. Once staff move into the new building in January, the existing student services facility will be converted into new classrooms. 

 

“This is the only building visitors can enter when they come to Mira Mesa High School, so we wanted it to be both safe and inviting,” said Principal Jeff Sabins. “We also wanted a space that reflects the dedication and commitment our students and staff make every day. Now, it’s time to watch our vision come to life when we return next year.” 

 

Along with the new student services and classroom facility, the biomedical sciences, media center, food, and arts buildings have all been renovated, new shade and lunch structures have been installed, and a visitor parking lot has been constructed. Following these renovations, the existing administration/student services building 100 will be converted into a classroom building, and renovations will be done to the classroom building 600 and the gymnasium. Additionally, portable classrooms will be removed, and the southeast parking lot will be expanded. 

 

“This is not simply a ribbon-cutting; it is a celebration of what this space will mean in the years ahead,” said Bagula. “It is a place where students will build knowledge, strengthen relationships, pursue their interests, and prepare for college and careers.” 

 

These upgrades follow a series of renovations at the 50-year-old campus.

 

In Spring 2023, construction was completed on baseball field renovations, which included new grass infield and outfield, foul ball fencing, and a CIF regulation backstop at the baseball field, a new public address system and drinking fountain, replacement of the announcers' booth, repairs to the dugouts and batting cages, and upgrades to grading and irrigation.

 

The field followed the completion of the first phase of the Mira Mesa High School Whole Site Modernization project, which included the construction of one of the district's largest music buildings, renovations to existing classrooms, upgrades to collaborative workspaces in the media center, and the creation of outdoor learning spaces. 

 

Other recent projects include renovations to the CCTE Engineering, Automotive Technology, and Culinary Arts facilities, as well as the installation of photovoltaic solar energy panels over the parking lots on the north and southeast sides of campus. 

 

“These improvements are more than construction projects; they are deliberate investments in student learning, well-being, and future opportunities,” said Bazzo. “We’re excited to see where the next 50 years will take Mira Mesa High School.” 

 

Estimated to be completed in fall 2027, the Whole Site Modernization Phase II project also includes a new student services facility and classrooms at Twain High School, a school designed to provide a smaller, more individualized learning environment for students who need additional support. Improvements were also made to facilities utilized by TRACE, a program supporting young adults with disabilities, and Diploma, a program of the San Diego Adult School that offers alternative education pathways for students over 18, providing opportunities to earn a high school diploma.

 

ABOUT MIRA MESA HIGH SCHOOL

A California Distinguished School, Mira Mesa High School has served the Mira Mesa community for 49 years. Recognized by the state for its exemplary College, Career, and Technical Education (CCTE) Program, Mira Mesa High offers hands-on CCTE programs in Arts, Media, and Entertainment, Engineering, Health Sciences, Hospitality, Manufacturing and Product Development, and Transportation. It also provides a variety of Visual and Performing Arts courses, competitive athletic teams, a JROTC program, and award-winning band, dance, and cheer teams. 

 

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Jamie Ries, Information Services Specialist, San Diego Unified, (619) 855-9283, jries@sandi.net. 

 

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