Funding for schools and community colleges will rise to more than $100 billion for the first time under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget for next year, as state revenues continue to surge amid a pandemic that is filling hospitals and continuing to throw businesses and Californians off-kilter. K–12 schools and community colleges will have $24 billion more to spend next year, with two-thirds coming from a one-time surplus from 2021-22 revenues that continue to flow beyond optimistic assumptions built into the budget passed in June. An additional $8.2 billion will be ongoing funding through Proposition 98, the formula that determines the portion of the general fund committed to transitional kindergarten through community colleges. That portion is about 40%. Heather Hough, executive director of the nonpartisan education research center PACE, said, “Like last year, there are really important investments—teacher workforce, special education, career pathways. But I remain concerned about districts’ capacity to make the best use of the money amid crippling staff shortages and declining enrollment. Districts need help with accelerated learning, to know if money has been effectively used and how to revise plans if it hasn’t. The state needs to invest in a system of support; it remains unfunded.”