CSDC Legislative Update: Dodd Bill is a Bona Fide Charter Killer

California State Senator Bill Dodd (D - Napa) introduced Senate Bill 1380, legislation that, if approved, would change the criteria and hearing process for new charter petitions and material revisions. Dodd represents the painfully mismanaged Vallejo Unified School District and Napa Valley Unified School District, which has been fighting dirty to prevent the establishment of the Mayacamas Charter School.

Dodd claims that the bill is intended to protect districts like Vallejo and Napa and the impact would be narrow. In actuality, the impact would be devastatingly broad, affecting nearly all charter schools and districts, thereby earning CSDC's 2024 "charter killer" label.

UPDATE: Senator Lena Gonalez (D-Long Beach) was appointed to the Senate Education Committee, replacing Senator John Laird, shortly after this article was published. Senator Gonzalez is the vice chair of the California Legislative Latino Caucus and served on the Long Beach City Council.