Sen. Dodd Responds to School Opening Plan

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, issued the following statement today regarding a $6.6 billion plan announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders to open schools for the youngest students by the end of March:

“California must safely re-open schools as soon as possible,” Sen. Dodd said. “This plan accelerates that goal, balancing the needs of students, families and teachers as we ramp up vaccinations and get children back in the classroom. It's an important step toward relief and normalcy as we work to emerge from this devastating pandemic.”

The plan agreed to by Gov. Newsom, Senate leader Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon would offer grants to schools that open transitional kindergarten through second grade by the end of March and bring back at-risk students in all grades. Schools in counties where infection rates drop to the next tier would open all elementary grades, some middle and high schools. The plan calls for $2 billion for in-person instruction grants to accelerate and support reopening. It also allocates $4.6 billion in one-time Proposition 98 General Fund money to all districts to support expanded learning.

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Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.