SD Unified Officials Announce Resolution of Support for State Congressional Redistricting
Proposition 50 Ensures Congressional Representation to Defend Public Education
SD Unified Board of Education to Vote on Resolution Tuesday, September 9
San Diego Unified School District Board Vice President Richard Barrera and President Cody Petterson, today along with leaders from other education entities, announced their support for Proposition 50 during a press conference. Proposition 50 authorizes temporary changes to congressional district maps in response to Texas’ partisan redistricting.
On Tuesday, during the regular San Diego Unified Board of Education meeting, trustees will vote on a resolution to support Proposition 50 because it will shape California’s congressional representation, and its ability to defend public education and secure the critical resources students need during a time of heightened federal threats.
“The federal government is turning its back on public education, and our students are paying the price. From stripping families of basic supports like food and healthcare to slashing critical education funding to terrorizing our parents as they drop off and pick up their children at school, these actions are creating real harm in our communities. By supporting Proposition 50, we're standing up for California’s right to elect representatives who will protect our students and defend our public schools,” said Richard Barrera, Vice President, Board of Education for the San Diego Unified School District.
“Our schools are facing a manufactured crisis — not because of a lack of will or vision, but because of deliberate, destructive federal policies,” said Cody Petterson, President, Board of Education for the San Diego Unified School District. “Proposition 50 gives California a stronger voice to push back against these attacks and to fight for the dignity and wellbeing of every child. This resolution is about ensuring our students are not abandoned.”
Excerpts of the resolution (Linked Here) include:
“...recent federal actions have adversely impacted public education, including efforts to eliminate the Department of Education, attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), increased immigration enforcement, and threats to education funding…”
“...in January 2025 the White House rescinded protections against immigration enforcement at sensitive locations, such as schools; and Congress has since expanded funding for immigration enforcement activities, resulting in increased enforcement incidents near school campuses, including in San Diego…”
“...the President has proposed to cut education funding by 15%, including elimination and block granting of many education programs for Fiscal Year 2026…”
San Diego County Office of Education President Gregg Robinson said, “Prop 50 is about ensuring our representation in Congress delivers the stability, equity, and resilience needed to support our students. It’s a promise that we won’t let political games in Washington rob our kids of the support they need and deserve.”
While union leaders from California School Employee Association (CSEA) and San Diego Education Association (SDEA) express great concern for the actions the federal government has been taking against educational institutions.
“The federal government has failed to meet its obligations — again and again. Programs like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Impact Aid have been underfunded by this administration, leaving schools without the resources needed to fully support students with disabilities and military-connected families,” said Issel Martinez, CSEA President. “We need to make sure Congress has leaders who protect funding for school-based medical care, nutrition programs, and other services that students need.
Kyle Weinberg, SDEA President said, “Now is the time for union educators to stand together and fight back against Trump’s election rigging…we’ve already seen too many attacks on critical school funding for special education, meals for hungry children and more.”
Even early childhood education entities are chiming on the benefits Proposition 50 will bring.
“The Federal administration in Washington, D.C. has been on a mission to dismantle our education system and erode support systems that provide funding to critical family resources like Medi-Cal and Cal-Fresh,” said Gale Walker, Founder & CEO of Children of the Rainbow Early Childhood Centers. “Proposition 50 will ensure we keep representation in Congress that supports school-age children.”
To learn more about Proposition 50, link here.