Skip to content
Help us continue providing local, fact-based journalism
that keeps you informed and connected each day.
Support essential local journalism for your community.
General | News
Donate Now

View thank you gift options

CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • beats
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    • California Dream
    • Videos
    • Photos
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Roots
    • Eclectic
    • Videos
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight
    • California State of Mind
    • The View From Here
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • Insight Music
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • CapRadio Travels
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support / Underwriting
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Volunteering
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • State Government
  •  

Lawmakers’ Plan To Reopen California Schools In April ‘Doesn’t Go Far Enough Or Fast Enough,’ Newsom Says

  •  Kris Hooks 
Thursday, February 18, 2021 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Richard Vogel, File / AP file

In this July 13, 2020, file photo, a gate is locked at the closed Ranchito Elementary School in the San Fernando Valley section of Los Angeles.

Richard Vogel, File / AP file

Updated 7 p.m.

California lawmakers released a plan Thursday that would allow schools in counties with more relaxed COVID-19 restrictions to reopen for in-person learning for younger students as well as give school teachers and staff higher vaccine priority. But its chance of being passed and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom is slim.

The bill’s release comes a week after Gov. Gavin Newsom assured Californians that a deal between his administration and state lawmakers was expected in the coming days. But after failing to reach an agreement, lawmakers released a framework to reopen. 

Newsom said Thursday night, hours after the text of the bill was released, that the proposal is not enough.

"While the Legislature’s proposal represents a step in the right direction, it doesn’t go far enough or fast enough,” Newsom said in a statement. “I look forward to building on the growing momentum to get our schools open and continuing discussions with the Legislature to get our kids back in school as safely and quickly as possible."

Senate President pro Tem Toni G. Atkins (D–San Diego) said that the bill, which was introduced by the Assembly and Senate budget committees, would “move us closer” to getting students back into classrooms after nearly a year of virtual learning.

“Here are two truths—California’s students need to get back in the classroom, and there is no easy solution to getting them there in the midst of the pandemic,” Atkins said in the statement. 

She added: “Schools provide more than just academics — they lend the kind of supports and social interaction that kids have been lacking during this pandemic. … We need to do all we can to get campuses open safely, and keep them open.”

The multi-billion dollar plan would allow schools to resume in-person instruction for K-6 when their county enters the red tier — which indicates substantial COVID-19 spread — of the state’s reopening plan. It would also allow in-person learning for smaller cohorts of K-12 students who have struggled with virtual learning, lack access to equipment, are English Language Learners or need targeted learning support.

Schools would be required to offer in-person schooling to both of those groups by April 15.

It would provide $2 billion in reopening funds for this spring, $4.6 billion for learning loss recovery, and $6 billion in federal reopening aid.

School districts who want to receive funding are required to submit a completed COVID-19 safety plan to its county office of education. That plan would have to follow the state’s COVID-19 School Guidance Checklist, a framework released in January that lists standards for various safety measures.

The proposal would also require county public health departments to make COVID-19 vaccines available to faculty and staff who are working at schools that are slated to reopen. Lawmakers have not made it clear how that differs from the state’s current plan, which has teachers in Phase 1B of vaccine priority.

Vaccinations have been the biggest point of contention for teachers. The California Teachers Association, which is one of the state’s most powerful unions and represents more than 300,000 teachers, has argued school faculty and staff need the vaccine before any in-person class continues. 

While Newsom has already given teachers higher COVID-19 vaccine priority, he’s also said there are not enough doses to administer before the end of the school year.

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidance on how and when schools should consider reopening.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about Coronavirus

  • NIAID-RML via AP

    Coronavirus In California: Latest Updates And Resources

    The coronavirus has impacted nearly every aspect of life in California and around the world. Here are resources and all our coverage at CapRadio and NPR.

 Coronavirus

Kris Hooks

News Editor

As CapRadio’s news editor, it’s my job to help our reporters develop stories with the context and understanding of Sacramento´s history and the many experiences of the people who live here.  Read Full Bio 

 @Captain_Hooks Email Kris Hooks

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More State Government Stories

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

California Lawmakers, Newsom Agree On $536-Million Wildfire Prevention Plan

April 8, 2021

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Newsom Recall Organizers Oppose Bill To Let Future Recall Targets Access Signature Lists

April 12, 2021

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Despite Johnson & Johnson Vaccination Halt, California Officials Expect No Significant Impact

April 13, 2021

Most Viewed

California Coronavirus Updates: COVID-19 Vaccination Pop-Up Clinic At Luther Burbank High School On April 13

When Can I Get A COVID-19 Vaccine? How Will I Find Out? Answers To Your California Vaccine Questions.

California Coronavirus Updates: Blue Shield Announces It Has The Capacity To Vaccinate Six Million People Per Week

Signatures Are In. What You Need To Know About The Gavin Newsom Recall Effort.

California Coronavirus Updates: California Pauses Johnson & Johnson Vaccinations

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

California Coronavirus Updates: COVID-19 Vaccination Pop-Up Clinic At Luther Burbank High School On April 13

When Can I Get A COVID-19 Vaccine? How Will I Find Out? Answers To Your California Vaccine Questions.

California Coronavirus Updates: Blue Shield Announces It Has The Capacity To Vaccinate Six Million People Per Week

Signatures Are In. What You Need To Know About The Gavin Newsom Recall Effort.

California Coronavirus Updates: California Pauses Johnson & Johnson Vaccinations

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2021, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.