California shifts superintendent power to governor-appointed commissioner
Lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom approved a budget trailer bill for the 2026-27 fiscal year that creates a new education commissioner appointed by and reporting to the governor, shifting day-to-day managerial authority away from the elected state superintendent. Supporters framed the move as a governance modernization that unifies policy making and implementation, while critics — including superintendent candidate Sonja Shaw, current educators and board members — called it undemocratic and vowed legal action. The immediate consequences include plans for a court challenge, debate over voter accountability, and changed stakes for the coming superintendent election.
Daily education authority was transferred to a governor-appointed commissioner.
Context
The legislature passed the change as part of budget negotiations and Gov. Newsom signed it. Critics say the measure was rushed through using a budget trailer bill. Next, Sonja Shaw has vowed to mount a court challenge and implementation…
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