David Alvarez — Opened the meeting and welcomed attendees as chair of the subcommittee.
Michelle Underwood — Michelle Underwood, speaking on behalf of the Coalition for Adequate Funding for Special Education, introduced herself and then urged lawmakers to increase special education funding, including an additional $300 per ADA, to better reflect rising identification rates for students with disabilities.
Children Now representative (name unclear; transcript reads "Sadabaches") — Spoke in support of long-term LCFF investments, stability in school funding, and equity-based distribution of discretionary funds; referenced AB 1204.
Barrett (last name unclear) — Spoke on behalf of the Small School Districts Association regarding necessary small schools funding.
Raquel Morales — Testified on behalf of Etrus West in support of adding the 2023 California Mathematics Framework as an allowable use and ensuring equitable distribution of discretionary funds.
Deborah Bautisa Saval — Testified for the California Suburban School Districts Association in support of full LCFF funding, ADA-based discretionary block grants, and the Governor's special education proposal.
Katie Logger-Morca / Katie Logo-Marsino — Introduced herself as the Department of Finance presenter; the transcript contains two possible versions of her name.
Patrick Rachel — Identified as accompanying the Department of Finance presenter.
Michael Alferres — Introduced himself as the Legislative Analyst's Office presenter.
Edgar Cabral — An LAO colleague adds that declining enrollment is different from inflationary cost pressures and is not addressed by a standard inflation adjustment.
Mike Fein — The CEO of the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team explains that declining enrollment can erase COLA gains in district revenue.
Michael — Referenced as having indicated that the proposal is very focused; likely a witness or analyst, but full identity is unclear.
Darshana Patel — The chair turns the floor over to Dr. Patel for questions, thanking them for being present, and Dr. Patel then begins asking about the 20% figure, including its cost basis and related ADA loss trends.
Darshana Patel — The chair opens questions with Dr. Patel, and the speaker responds by addressing Dr. Patel’s concerns about equalizing SELPA rates and the broader special education funding structure. The discussion continues with a question about how a possible 2.81% COLA would affect the budgeted delta for special education equalization.
Darshana Patel — Dr. Patel is addressed at the start of the exchange, then speaks in support of the discretionary block grant, drawing on her recent school board experience and expressing openness to discussions about accountability and targeted support. The discussion continues on needs-based funding while she is addressed again, keeping the focus on school funding policy.
Vince Fong — Asked the LAO about COLA projections and uncertainty in federal data and revenue estimates.
Vince Fong — Asked about the community college share of Proposition 2 bond funds and uptake.
Heather Hadwick — Thanked the committee for the 20% increase for necessary small schools and described the impact on rural districts.
Heather Hadwick — Responded in support of equalizing special education funding and noted staffing shortages in special education.
Heather Hadwick — Invited to offer ideas on how to address the question of whether LREBG funds are used exclusively for intended purposes.
Heather Hadwick — Addressed by the speaker in transition before the next question.
Heather Hadwick — Her district is identified as the location of Plumas Unified.
Heather Hadwick — Ms. Hadwick is first introduced as the next colleague to speak, and later her earlier point is referenced as having prompted a question about staffing capacity and fiscal pressures. The repeated mention reinforces the same brief discussion rather than introducing a new topic.
Heather Hadwick — Acknowledged for recognizing staffing shortages in special education and the need for least restrictive environment services.
Katie Logger-Mercino — Explained that the 20% figure was based on costs small schools face and available resources.
Katie Logger-Mercino, Department of Finance — Said the 20% increase was chosen to help small schools while staying within available resources in the P98 package.
Amber Alexander — Said the department grappled with several questions and recognized the need for a sustainable adjustment.
Amber Alexander, Department of Finance — Explained that the department did not analyze individual school-site impacts, but aimed for a sustainable amount given possible revenue changes.
Elena Powell — Provided an overview of special education investments in the 2026 Governor's Budget and explained the proposed funding adjustments.
Sarah Cortez — Presented the LAO's recommendation supporting the proposal, while noting districts increasingly rely on local funds to cover special education costs.
Dr. Rachel Heenan — Presented CDE's support for equalization and framed it as an equity issue.
David Tangipa — Referenced as having asked the speaker's questions before her.
Alex Schope — Alex Schope of the Department of Finance introduces himself and then explains that the Governor's budget includes $2.8 billion in new one-time Proposition 98 General Fund for the Student Support and Professional Development Discretionary Block Grant.
Ken Kippon — Presents the Legislative Analyst's Office view that discretionary grants help districts address local cost pressures and priorities.
Tammy Pearson — Identified as being from the California Department of Education and present for questions.
Ethan Schroeder, Department of Finance — Ethan Schroeder of the Department of Finance introduced himself and began a high-level overview of the Governor's budget proposals for school facilities, including discussion of Proposition 2 funding.
Sarah Cortez, Legislative Analyst's Office — Said the LAO had no prepared remarks and was available for questions.
Office of Public School Construction representative — The committee welcomed the Office of Public School Construction to respond to questions.
Office of Public School Construction representative — Explained the annual processing rate and projected when Proposition 2 funds would be exhausted.
Office of Public School Construction representative — The question is directed again to OPSC about application trends and declining enrollment.
Office of Public School Construction representative — Said demand is shifting toward modernization rather than new construction.
Office of Public School Construction representative — Said the office does not collect statewide data on school closures or reuse of excess property.
Office of Public School Construction representative — Said they would begin with the small school district program and then address CTE.
Rebecca Kirk, Office of Public School Construction — Introduced herself as Executive Officer and said OPSC was ready to answer questions.
Michael Watanabe, Office of Public School Construction — Identified as the Deputy Executive Officer accompanying Rebecca Kirk.
Walt Tyler Elementary School — The speaker introduces a story about Walt Tyler Elementary School as an example of a school in need.
John Harabedian — The speaker refers to 'my school in El Dorado County,' which is likely the member's district context, but the name is not explicitly spoken here.
Riley from FICMAT — Named as part of the FICMAT presentation team coming forward for the informational item.
Megan Riley — Introduced as a colleague who joined FICMAT in July and will present the update.
AB1200 — AB 1200 is referenced as the original 1991 legislation that established California’s school fiscal oversight and early warning system, with both mentions emphasizing its foundational role in building the state’s fiscal monitoring framework.