Community Schools Need Sustainable Funding to Succeed
California is considering making community schools a permanent part of how the state funds education. Gavin Newsom has proposed $1 billion in ongoing annual funding to expand the community school model statewide. Community schools take a whole child approach by providing wraparound supports like mental health services, food access, family resources, and wellness spaces. Since 2021, California has invested $4 billion into the model, reaching nearly 2,500 schools. Research from the Learning Policy Institute shows promising outcomes, including lower absenteeism, fewer suspensions, and gains in math and English learning.
But the difference between sustainable community schools and those that struggle to maintain services often comes down to stable, long-term funding. When schools rely on temporary grants, programs that support students and families can disappear just as they begin to show results. We should be making community schools a permanent funding priority which would help ensure schools can build lasting partnerships with families and community organizations, rather than constantly scrambling to keep programs afloat.
Lasherica Thornton/ EdSource
California governor pushes for permanent state funding of community schools
By Lasherica Thornton| March 9th, 2026 | EdSource
