California Distributes $33.7 Million to Upgrade or Build Early Education Facilities

SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that California has awarded $33.7 million to repair or construct early education facilities throughout the state. These grants are part of the $490 million Access California Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten and Full-Day Kindergarten Facilities Grant Program.

"California is committed to increasing opportunity and equity for every student across the state, regardless of their zip code or background," said Governor Newsom. "We've made major strides over the years to expand services to support young children and their families and provide access to free, high-quality, inclusive pre-kindergarten education for all children. This funding is critical for school districts to construct the facilities necessary to support the expanded learning time."

The program, administered by the Department of General Services (DGS), Office of Public School Construction, provides funding to school districts that lack the facilities to provide full-day programs for preschool, transitional kindergarten and full-day kindergarten. Forty-seven projects for 44 school districts were funded to create 147 new Title V compliant classrooms. Due to its successful implementation, the program was expanded to include preschool and transitional kindergarten facilities.

"The Department of General Services is pleased to continue funding efforts for the third round of this program and is excited to see the facilities that will be constructed with these awards," said DGS Director Ana M. Lasso. "As former manager of the Los Angeles Unified School District's Joint Use Development Program, and as a parent of two children, I recognize the value in providing resources to school districts for early education. We are looking forward to rolling out the next funding round for the program soon, which will provide additional opportunities to construct facilities throughout the state."

The State Allocation Board (SAB) awarded approximately $33.7 million for 11 projects within 11 school districts statewide. The state matching funds for program projects are distributed to local school districts to help finance new school construction projects or the retrofit of existing classrooms. Funding priority is given to school districts that lack financial resources to provide a local match and/or are located in an underserved community.

The Office of Public School Construction will distribute the funds to eligible school districts in two phases. The first phase provides funding to assist school districts in the design of the project, and the second phase provides funding to assist in the construction of the project. Additional funding is expected to be allocated at the SAB's October meeting.

The next filing round for the program opens Feb. 1, 2023, and closes March 2, 2023.

The State Allocation Board is responsible for determining the allocation of funds for the California Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten and Full-Day Kindergarten Facilities Grant Program and the School Facility Program. The SAB is the policy-level body for programs administered by the Office of Public School Construction, which resides under the state of California's Department of General Services. The Office of Public School Construction provides the staff and support for state financing of school facilities.

DGS serves the public by providing a variety of services to state agencies through procurement and acquisition solutions; real estate management and design; environmentally friendly transportation; professional printing, design and web services; administrative hearings; legal services; building standards; oversight of structural safety, fire/life safety and accessibility for the design and construction of K-12 public schools and community colleges; funding for school construction; and disability access.