California education sector unhappy with Governor Newsom’s decision to eliminate superintendent positions
"I could not be more proud that the state legislature and the people demanded a new approach, and I am proud to put my signature to that new approach."
SACRAMENTO:- California’s education sector has expressed dissatisfaction with the decision to eliminate the position of State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Assembly Bill 181, passed as a budget trailer bill for the 2026-27 fiscal year, mandated the transfer of day-to-day administrative duties from the State Superintendent to a newly created position: the Commissioner of Education.
Unlike the independently elected superintendent, the new commissioner—under Assembly Bill 181—will be appointed by the governor and report directly to them. This structural reform was finalized as part of budget negotiations between legislative leaders and Newsom.
While signing the public education budget bill on Thursday, Newsom remarked that the structural reform was implemented in response to educational institutions having advocated for “change” for decades.
“Since it involves governance reform, there are also enemies of change. I am in favor of change. I am not arguing for the status quo,” Governor Newsom said. “I could not be more proud that the state legislature and the people demanded a new approach, and I am proud to put my signature to that new approach.”
Governor Newsom stated, “California can no longer delay reforms that have been regularly recommended for a century. We are empowering the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to help align our education policies from early childhood through college. These critical reforms will bring greater accountability, clarity, and coherence to how we serve our students and schools.”
