Left to right: Placentia/Yorba Linda Unified School District Trustee Carrie Buck; Orange Unified School District Trustee Andrea Yamasaki. Her colleague, Kris Erickson, is on the far right; Richard Barrera, Santa Ana Unified School District Trustee; Hector Bustos, Capistrano Unified School District Trustee; Krista Castellanos; Andy Thorburn, CPI president; Anaheim Unified High School District Trustee; Jessica Guerrero; and Fullerton School Board Trustee Ruthi Hanchett.

What does the future of public education look like in California? Richard Barrera, a San Diego school board member and candidate for California superintendent of public instruction, outlined his education priorities during a weekend visit to Orange County.

Barrera, a Democrat, was in town for a local Party event, but before the dinner, Barrera met with education leaders at the home of Contemporary Policy Institute President Andy Thorburn. The gathering included school district superintendents, academics and leaders, including Fullerton City Council member and CSUF professor, Dr. Shana Charles, education advocates, representatives of the arts community and trustees from several education districts, including Fullerton School District Trustee Ruthi Hanchett.

“I am grateful to have met Richard Barrera in person,” said Hanchett. “As a school board trustee for over a decade, he has faced and made significant progress on many of the greatest challenges that are also affecting us at Fullerton School District.”

Participants questioned Barrera about school funding, attacks on educators and how he would use the office of state superintendent. He pointed to his record as a school board member in San Diego of defending teachers against political attacks and efforts to undermine confidence in educators and weaken public education.

One key exchange concerned the state’s recent decision to withhold $3.9 billion in funding guaranteed to public schools and community colleges under Proposition 98. The California Teachers Association challenged this decision with a lawsuit filed September 15, contending that the withholding is unconstitutional and could leave schools without money they are owed. The Newsom administration argues that the money is being delayed under a process intended to address fluctuations in state tax collections and says it expects the commitment to schools to be honored in the next budget cycle.

Barrera sides with the teachers, saying Proposition 98 funding belongs to California’s schools and should not be used as a financial-management tool of state government.

The dispute extends beyond the current budget year. The CTA lawsuit also challenges a $1.9 billion withholding during the 2024-25 fiscal year, although that money was subsequently restored. The union is seeking a court declaration that the state’s actions violated the California Constitution and an order protecting education funding from similar withholding in future budgets.

Despite California’s enormous economy, Barrera said, the state remains trapped in what he described as a “culture of austerity” when paying for public education. That cycle makes it difficult for districts to retain teachers, expand successful programs and plan responsibly, he said.

During the gathering, Barrera said California should move toward proactive, long-term education budgeting instead of forcing school districts into an annual scramble over funding. “He has a vision and a realistic plan to lead California out of a ‘culture of austerity’ and instead ensure we have the funding and focus to make our public schools excellent,” said Hanchett. “He sees the importance of maintaining and integrating arts education, and all the aspects that create a great public education system, where students want to come to school, and teachers love to teach.”

Barrera also said he would seek to make the state superintendent’s office more visible and accessible. Rather than concentrating staff in Sacramento offices, he said, he wants personnel traveling throughout California, meeting with educators and learning directly about the challenges facing local schools.

Barrera is president of the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education and an adviser to outgoing State Superintendent Tony Thurmond. He advanced from the June election and will face Chino Valley Unified School District Board President Sonja Shaw in the November 3 runoff for the officially nonpartisan statewide office.