California schools chief objects to Newsom’s K-12 plan
CalMatters••nation
Key Points:
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed shifting oversight of the Department of Education from the elected State Superintendent Tony Thurmond to the State Board of Education, which the governor appoints, reducing the superintendent’s duties.
- The proposal aims to simplify California’s complex K-12 education governance system, which currently involves multiple leaders and agencies with overlapping or conflicting authority, causing confusion for schools.
- While some education advocacy groups support the change for its potential to clarify governance, Superintendent Thurmond and his staff were caught off guard and disagree, viewing it as an unnecessary disruption that may not benefit students.
- Critics, including Thurmond’s spokeswoman and education law experts, argue that the proposal could undermine voter power by concentrating authority with the governor and question whether it will lead
