Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Choice topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bill would create statewide open‑enrollment priority for students in low‑performing schools and fund transportation
Summary
SB 460 establishes a statewide open‑enrollment system that prioritizes students from 1‑ and 2‑star schools, requires lotteries when applications exceed capacity and includes a $7 million appropriation for transportation, subject to a conceptual amendment moving funds to the second year of the biennium.
Senate Bill 460 would set up a statewide open‑enrollment mechanism that prioritizes students from low‑performing (1‑ or 2‑star) schools and includes transportation support to reduce access barriers.
Steve Canavero explained the bill’s open‑enrollment language to the Assembly Committee on Education: "Also in the act is a system of open enrollment, which also includes transportation funding and prioritization for students in 1 or 2 star schools. This is in section 14 65 and, and 60 14.65. There is an appropriation for $7,000,000 that will, be conceptually amended, in into the second year of the biennium is currently in the first. We're going to move it to the second year of the biennium, hopefully."
Vice Chair DaSilva asked whether the language differs from a recent bill (AB 533) and how the two interact; Canavero said the revised SB 460 is intended to align with AB 533 and to add a transportation appropriation and prioritization for students in low‑performing schools. Canavero described lottery provisions for oversubscribed schools and said priority rules will aim to protect siblings and students remaining in their attendance zone while giving priority to those from a low‑performing school.
Assemblymember Warren Liquor encouraged automating the application process so families could rank choices and avoid missing the opportunity; he suggested an algorithm that captures top choices for all applicants. Canavero said the department will study participation and whether additional changes (such as automatic ranking) are necessary if families from low‑performing zones are not exercising options.
Several stakeholders testified in support of open enrollment and transportation funds. Gil Lopez of the Charter School Association and representatives of higher education and United Way emphasized increased access for families. Opponents and some district representatives expressed concerns about operational impacts and the need to ensure equity in application processes.
Committee members asked for clarity on lottery mechanics, sibling priority and the interaction with district policies. Canavero and members signaled intent to continue work in the interim to refine administrative processes, outreach plans and funding timing.
No vote was taken at the hearing; committee members said they expect the Department and bill sponsors to refine details before final action.
