(Sacramento, CA) – AB 1273 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland), a bill that establishes a workgroup to propose guidelines on proper staffing for classified school employees, has been signed into law. This bill will help support students and staff by ensuring local educational agencies are adequately staffed to provide students with the services and resources they need to thrive.
Current law is silent on what factors local education agencies should consider in establishing staff-to-student ratios. AB 1273 will ensure all school community members have a safe working and learning environment.
“Thank you to Governor Newsom for signing this bill and recognizing the importance of ensuring adequate staffing to keep our schools safe and clean. Whether we face environmental challenges due to pandemics or climate change, schools must ensure there is someone to call if there is an emergency, ensure students reach the school safely with bus drivers or crossing guards, have food served in a timely manner, and make sure that rooms and playgrounds are clean and safe for all students and staff. We are so thankful to Assemblymember Bonta for authoring this important bill,” said Jeff Freitas, President of the California Federation of Teachers, sponsor of AB 1273.
“Inadequate staffing ratios can have a very detrimental effect on the success of students. This can range from disorderly food distributions that impact healthy eating options in cafeterias to temporarily shuttered classrooms due to cleanliness issues and more,” explained Assemblymember Bonta upon learning her bill was signed into law. “AB 1273 will provide guidance to schools in developing optical staffing ratios, and in turn, help students reach their full potential.”
AB 1273 goes into effect July 1, 2024.