In a win for Rim of the World Unified School District, legislation written and worked on between Board President Jordan Zarate and Senator Ochoa Bogh has been signed into law by the Governor. This Rim-Sponsored bill protects districts that have been closed due to severe snowstorms. Ed Code allows districts to recover lost ADA (funding) in the event of closures caused by natural disasters. While common disasters like wildfires and earthquakes were already covered by Ed Code, snowstorms were conspicuously absent.
Press Release
Ochoa Bogh’s press release reads as follows:
Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) is proud to announce that the Governor has signed Senate Bill 1429 into law. This new legislation addresses a critical gap in funding for schools affected by snowstorms by allowing school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to be reimbursed for decreases in Average Daily Attendance (ADA) due to severe winter weather.
“SB 1429 is an important step forward for our rural communities, where snowstorms can cause significant disruption to the school year,” said Senator Ochoa Bogh. “I want to thank Governor Newsom and my legislative colleagues for their support in passing this bill, which ensures that schools affected by these events won’t face financial penalties for conditions outside of their control.”
Under current law, schools can be reimbursed for ADA lost during certain natural disasters, such as fires, floods, and earthquakes. However, snowstorms were not included in the list of eligible events. SB 1429 corrects this oversight by explicitly adding snowstorms to the list of reimbursable disasters, helping rural school districts that face harsh winter conditions maintain financial stability and continue offering quality education without interruption.
“As a proud partner in the creation of SB 1429, I could not be more thrilled to see Governor Newsom sign this bill into law,” said Jordan Zarate, Board President of Rim of the World Unified School District. “This legislation ensures that schools in our district, and across the state of California, will not face financial consequences due to unavoidable closures caused by extreme snowstorms. SB 1429 allows us to recover vital ADA funding, providing our mountainous district with the same protections offered to districts impacted by other natural disasters. Ensuring snowstorm-impacted districts like Rim receive the ADA funding they’re entitled to supports quality education for all students. I am grateful to Senator Ochoa Bogh for her leadership and commitment to ensuring our rural community is not left behind.”
Impact on the Community
This legislation is especially vital for school districts in rural and mountainous areas, such as the Rim of the World Unified School District, which sponsored the bill. These districts often face severe snowstorms that can force schools to close or transition to distance learning, causing drops in attendance that directly affect their funding. SB 1429 provides certainty that these schools will receive the necessary financial support to continue serving their students and communities, even when winter weather strikes.
“This bill ensures that our schools are protected from financial strain due to circumstances beyond their control, allowing them to focus on providing a safe and uninterrupted education for their students,” Senator Ochoa Bogh added. “This is a win for our schools, our students, and our entire community.”
This bill was inspired by a direct need in our community following the severe winter storms that impacted our district last year.
Brief Timeline
As a result of the March 2023 storms and reports coming out of it, Senator Ochoa Bogh collaborated with our district to ensure we were not forgotten and are protected in the event of snowstorm-related disasters in the future.
- Feb 16, 2024: After working on the legislation directly with Rim Board President, Jordan Zarate, Senator Ochoa Bogh introduces SB 1429.
- Mar 14, 2024: The Board of Trustees unanimously approved Resolution #23/24-11, officially making Rim of the World Unified School District a Sponsor of the legislation.
- Apr 11, 2024: SB 1429 passes the Senate unanimously.
- Aug 08, 2024: SB 1429 passes the Assembly unanimously.
- Aug 15, 2024: Senate concurs in Assembly amendments unanimously.
- Aug 22, 2024: SB 1429 is officially sent to the Governor’s desk.
- Sep 22, 2024: SB 1429 is signed into law by Governor Newsom.
What’s Next?
While this is an incredible win, the advocacy continues! As a member of the Board of Trustees, I will continue to advocate for our students, staff, and community at large. If there is legislation you think should be written or changed, please get in touch with me.