The landmark Williams v. California settlement provided $800 million for the state's crumbling schools. But until last week, school districts were hesitant to apply for funds to fix their lowest-performing schools. An Assembly bill signed into law Sept. 29 will change that.
Assembly Bill 607 addresses school officials' concern that the Emergency Repair Program would require them to pay for repairs before receiving full reimbursement from the state.
'''This is an important and much needed fix,' said Brooks Allen, ACLU/SC staff attorney. '''Now, district officials facing tight budgets may take full advantage of the repair funds and carry out critical repairs without fear of getting stuck with the bill.'
The law will turn the emergency fund into a grant program, allowing districts to receive money before as well as after conducting health and safety repairs.

Despite the Los Angeles City Council's Sept. 20 decision to reject a hard-fought compromise designed as a first step toward providing true help for downtown's homeless population, the ACLU of Southern California's efforts to advocate on behalf of this vulnerable population continue.

style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 20px 20px;" width="150" height="90" />Despite the Los Angeles City Council's Sept. 20 decision to reject a hard-fought compromise designed as a first step toward providing true help for downtown's homeless population, the ACLU of Southern California's efforts to advocate on behalf of this vulnerable population continue.