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Committee approves requirement directing school board members to receive basic training
Summary
AB 640, which would require newly elected members of school district and charter governing boards to complete training in school finance and accountability, was advanced by the Senate Education Committee after supporters said the measure would improve board decision‑making and student outcomes.
The Senate Education Committee advanced Assembly Bill 640 to the Appropriations Committee after testimony that the bill would help newly elected school board members understand complex local budgets and state accountability systems.
The bill would require members of governing boards for school districts, county offices of education and charter schools to receive training in two particular areas: K–12 public school finance and public-school accountability. Assemblymember Marucci, a former school board member and the bill’s author, framed the measure as a response to repeated high turnover among trustees and the need to equip elected officials with the technical skills needed to oversee multimillion‑dollar budgets and compliance responsibilities.
Gail Garbalino Mojica, Placer County superintendent of schools, described a local governance institute developed in Placer County and urged the committee to adopt a statewide standard. Supporters, including county superintendents associations and the California Teachers Association, said the bill aims to protect students and communities by improving local governance capacity.
Opponents included the California School Boards Association, which said it favors training but objected to limits in the bill as introduced that would restrict who could provide training. Committee amendments clarified that nonprofit statewide associations that serve governing boards could qualify as training providers and that districts may use existing curricula developed by state bodies; supporters said the changes preserved local control while broadening access.
Committee members emphasized the value of established programs such as CSBA’s governance training but also expressed broad support for strengthening baseline governance skills. The committee unanimously moved AB 640 to the Appropriations Committee.
