FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals
Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291

SACRAMENTO, CA – CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals has joined the California Teachers Association (CTA) lawsuit challenging the state’s decision to hold back nearly $6 billion in Prop. 98 funding owed to California’s public schools for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years.

Below is a statement on behalf of CFT President Jeff Freitas on CFT’s decision to join CTA’s lawsuit:

“California’s public school students deserve the full funding guaranteed to them under Prop. 98 in our state Constitution. Prop. 98 is more than a promise; it is a constitutional commitment to California’s students, families, and communities. 

“When billions in guaranteed education funding are withheld and diverted away from schools, immediate consequences are felt in classrooms throughout the state. The withholding of billions of promised funds results in larger class sizes, reduced services for students, and layoffs of educators and classified employees.

“Our students deserve a state that invests in their future rather than balancing the budget on their backs. Local school districts deserve the stability of reliable funding, so they can plan with confidence instead of being forced into difficult choices by the uncertainty of withheld funds.

“We are proud to stand with CTA to defend Prop. 98. California must keep its promise to our students.”

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CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals represents 120,000 teachers, faculty, and school employees in public and private schools and colleges, from early childhood through higher education. It is the statewide affiliate of the AFT. More information at www.cft.org.