Controller hopeful blames soaring school budgets for stagnant student performance in California
Candidate for state controller Herb Morgan argues that California’s K-12 spending has jumped dramatically while student outcomes have not improved, citing alleged financial mismanagement in several districts.
Herb Morgan, a candidate for California state controller, warned that the state’s education budget has surged from $97 billion in 2019 to $151 billion for the current cycle, with per-student spending rising from $16,300 to $27,400, yet academic results have not kept pace. He contended that the problem lies in a broken accountability system that lets billions disappear into local bureaucracies. Morgan cited alleged misconduct, including a $400 million enrollment inflation at A3 Education Charter Network, a $16 million public-fund siphoning by the founder of Scale Leadership Academy, and a former Magnolia School District finance executive’s $17 million embezzlement.
While incumbent Controller Malia Cohen recently praised new oversight legislation, Morgan dismissed her office’s performance as lacking both desire and skill. He proposed that artificial-intelligence-based monitoring could eliminate fraud and ensure every dollar reaches classrooms. The debate underscores ongoing concerns about fiscal transparency in California’s massive education system.
Why it matters
California’s huge school budget may be misused, affecting taxpayer money and student achievement.
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