View in Browser
California Local Logo
Graphic which spells out The Newsletter.


By Eric Johnson
Published Apr 07, 2025

California's Department of Education receives only a fraction of its funding from the federal government, with most of that money earmarked for the state's neediest students.
California's Department of Education receives only a fraction of its funding from the federal government, with most of that money earmarked for the state's neediest students.

California's Vulnerable Students Threatened

Is Pres. Donald Trump's defunding of public education hurting California students?

On average, more than 90 percent of the money spent educating students in California’s grade schools, high schools, and community colleges comes from state and local sources. Still, the Trump administration’s moves to shutter the US Department of Education is being viewed as a genuine threat by teachers and school administrators statewide.

Barbara Dill-Varga, superintendent of the Aromas-San Juan (Bautista) School District, told the Hollister-based news site BenitoLink (where I serve as editor) that the firing of half of DOE‘s employees last month means it will be harder for that agency to process grants. “If we have 50 percent fewer people there to answer questions, deal with applications and provide oversight for the distribution of funds,” Dill-Varga said, "you can imagine how this is just going to muck up the works.”

The BenitoLink article, by reporter Meghan Lee, points out that the cohort likely to be hurt the most by reduced DoE funding includes disabled students, who often rely on special education programs. That sentiment was echoed by the US House Education Committee’s top Democrat, Bobby Scott, who said it would put “low-income students, students of color, students with disabilities, and rural students at risk.”

In related news, an estimated 2.3 million of protesters took to the streets Saturday in a nationwide campaign, branded "Hands Off," against Pres. Donald Trump's and Elon Musk's massive cuts to government programs. They included a Washington, DC rally under the banner "Hands Off Our Schools."


Accountability and Education

Recent attacks against public education are built on claims that schools, and school systems, are renegade organizations. In fact (we are going into the weeds here), California's schools work hard to deliver students and their parents an educational experience that can be verified.


How California Measures School and Student Success

How does your local school measure up?
Measuring performance of the California public school system is a complicated business. We explain.

How California K-12 Public Education Works

The first all-electric school bus in the state of California pausing outside the California Capitol building in Sacramento, way back in March, 2014.
The most populous state in the union has the largest public education system. We explain how it works.


California Local logo

Monterey County's Homepage

Direct your browser to https://monterey.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Monterey County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!


Recipe of the Week

Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.

See more recipes in their Taste Spring! cookbook.


This chicken soup is a springtime tonic

For a delicious and healthful spring soup, add cooked wild rice to the pot after the vegetables are tender.
Recipe: Chicken and wild rice soup packed with vegetables


Get to Know a Group

Special Kids Connect logo Special Kids Connect

Started in 2007 by the parents of a disabled child, Special Kids Connect firmly believes “the diagnosis of a disability does not define a child or his/her personality, likes, dislikes, aptitude and ability to develop and achieve.”

→ Learn more

California Media Alliance logo

From Our Media Allies

→ View All
Salinas Valley Tribune logo New Board Member Joins Salinas Valley Health

Salinas resident Isaura Arreguin took the oath of office March 27 to serve the Salinas Valley Health Board of Directors in Zone 3.

KSQD logo Hands Off in Santa Cruz, April 2025

Suki Wessling: On-the-street interviews with protesters during the April 5 Santa Cruz Hands Off rally.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Caltrans and TAMC Launch Innovative Adaptive Signal Control Pilot on SR 68

Caltrans District 5 and Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) staff recently presented an update on efforts to implement an adaptive signal control pilot project in the Scenic State Route 68 Corridor.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Soledad Teacher Nominated for National LifeChanger of the Year Award

Gabilan Elementary School teacher Laura Maldonado has been nominated for National Life Group’s 2024-25 LifeChanger of the Year award.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Soledad Unified School District Highlights Positive Trends in 2024 State Dashboard Results

The 2024 California School Dashboard, released by the California Department of Education, shows encouraging outcomes for the Soledad Unified School District (SUSD) in several key areas.

King City Rustler logo Cal Fire Plans Multi-Week Prescribed Burn for South Monterey County

Conditions and weather permitting, Cal Fire plans to conduct a multi-week pile burning on Westside Fuel Break of Southern Monterey County starting March 31.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Monterey County Faces $39.7M Deficit

The County of Monterey is grappling with a projected $39.7 million deficit for the upcoming fiscal year, driven by rising labor and operational costs, the ongoing impacts of multiple natural disasters and a notable reduction in one-time and federal funding.

King City Rustler logo King City Police Department Mourns Loss of Sgt. Kenedy

King City Police Department is mourning the unexpected passing of Police Sgt. Ryan Kenedy, who died while on duty March 25 at about 12:45 a.m. after experiencing a medical emergency.

  California Local Pin Marker  

Recent Local News

→ View All
Marina Imjin Parkway Project Update
An update in the ongoing Imjin Parkway Widening and Roundabout Project, focused this week on the roundabout on Abrams Drive. Read more.
(04/08/2025) Monterey Herald
Marina City CouncilAdvances ‘Arts Village’
In their April 1 meeting, the Marina City Council voted to move forward with one of five choices for how to best utilize the an existing former Army warehouse as the home of the future "Marina Arts Village." Read more.
(04/02/2025) Monterey Herald
Veterans Stand Down Coming to Marina on April 18
Currently serving military personnel and veterans will be attending the 2025 Veterans Stand Down and Resource Fair at the Monterey County Veterans Services Offices on April 18. Service providers and vendors are invited to participate and to apply with an online form. Read more.
(04/01/2025) Monterey Herald
Monterey Peninsula District School Superintendent Rescinds Resignation
After reflection and discussions with family and colleagues, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh announced he was rescinding the resignation notice he had delivered in February. Read more.
(03/31/2025) Monterey Herald
  California Local Pin Marker  

Recent Statewide News

→ View All
Miles of Delta Levees Are at Risk of Floods. Repairs Could Cost $3 Billion
The Delta faces a funding crisis to repair and maintain an aging network of 1,100 miles of levees. These earthen berms, mostly on private land, could rupture and endanger half a million people and flood thousands of acres of farmland. Read more.
(04/08/2025) CalMatters
Dentists Turned Them Away. Now, Disabled Californians Are Gaining New Access to Care
People with special needs often have to drive hours to find a dentist who will see them. New grants are creating more options around California. Read more.
(04/08/2025) CalMatters
Border Patrol Said It Targeted Known Criminals in Kern County. But It Had No Record on 77 of 78 Arrestees
Contrary to its public narrative, the agency cast a wide net in its California immigration raid, setting the stage for a legal battle over how the government carries out mass deportations. Read more.
(04/08/2025) CalMatters
California’s Big Pension Funds Lost Billions in Stock Market Selloff. Can They Recover in Time?
The stock market selloff that followed President Trump’s latest tariff announcement underscored the “unprecedented” risk that California pension funds see in a potential trade war. Read more.
(04/07/2025) CalMatters
How We’re Helping Students Spot Violations at California Career Colleges
It’s hard to find the disciplinary history of for-profit colleges regulated by California. CalMatters is making it easier. Read more.
(04/04/2025) CalMatters
Fight Over Phonics: Will California Require the ‘Science of Reading’ in K-12 Schools?
Nearly 60% of third graders aren’t reading at grade level. A new bill would require schools to use a phonics-based approach to teach students Read more.
(04/03/2025) CalMatters
Rural California, Reliant on the Trump Administration for Jobs, Braces for Cuts
Rural counties are some of the most reliant on federal funding and federal workers. But some still welcome Trump’s upcoming cuts to forestry and other departments Read more.
(04/02/2025) CalMatters
California’s Schools Chief Has a $200,000 Salary and a Side Gig
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has regularly worked side jobs at Bay Area nonprofits to earn extra income because he says the state pay is insufficient. Read more.
(04/01/2025) CalMatters
‘Broke Their Own Promise’: Republican Reparations Bill Is a Bad Sign for California’s Black Caucus
At a time when the political climate calls for strong and steady leadership, many Black Californians are losing faith in the lawmakers they sent to Sacramento to deliver on a justice agenda anchored by reparations. Read more.
(04/01/2025) CalMatters
Inside a $17 Billion Maintenance Backlog Plaguing California’s Universities
Infrastructure issues at California’s public universities are hindering students and faculty’s ability to learn and work on campus. Lawmakers and system leaders are hoping more state support can help them bring down the $17 billion price tag to fix their academic buildings. Read more.
(03/31/2025) CalMatters
  California Local Pin Marker

Government Announcements

→ View All
Image of City of Soledad seal. Rail Policy Committee meeting
The Rail Policy Committee meeting scheduled for Monday, April 7, 2025, has been cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for May 5, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at the TAMC conference room ... The post Rail Policy Committee meeting appeared first on City of Soledad.
City of Soledad   (04/07/2025)
Image of City of Pacific Grove seal. Arbor Day Celebration -4/27 at 10am
City of Pacific Grove   (04/07/2025)
Image of City of Pacific Grove seal. Perkins Park Annual Spring Cleanup
City of Pacific Grove   (04/07/2025)
Image of City of Marina seal. GP2045 Council and Planning Commission Joint Study Session
Join the Planning Commission and City Council as they review draft policies for all of the General Plan update (GP2045) chapters!
City of Marina   (04/04/2025)
Image of United States seal. T.W. Garner Food Company Issues Recall on Texas Pete® Habanero Buffalo Sauce Due To Potential Presence of Undeclared Sulfites and Sweet CHAbanero Sweet Sriracha Habanero Sauce Due To Mislabeling
April 3, 2025 - T.W. Garner Food Company is recalling select lots and sizes (see below table) of Texas Pete Habanero Buffalo Sauce because bottles may contain Sriracha Sauce. The Sriracha Sauce contains sulfites which are not declared on the label. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity t
United States   (04/03/2025)
Image of City of Monterey seal. Commercial Structure Fire on Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey
City of Monterey   (04/03/2025)
Image of City of Pacific Grove seal. COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE FIRE NEWS RELEASE
City of Pacific Grove   (04/03/2025)
Image of City of Soledad seal. A Statement on Front Street Maintenance Project
The post A Statement on Front Street Maintenance Project appeared first on City of Soledad.
City of Soledad   (04/02/2025)
Image of United States seal. Panaderia Salvadorena, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Milk In Quesadilla De Queso
Panaderia Salvadorena Inc., of Providence, RI is recalling its 14-ounce packages of Quesadilla de Queso bread because they contain undeclared milk. People who have allergies to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
United States   (04/02/2025)
Image of City of Marina seal. Springtime Family Fun
Come join us on Saturday, April 19, 2025!
City of Marina   (04/01/2025)