California education leaders sound alarm over Newsom’s ‘brazen power grab’ stripping superintendent position
California education leaders are criticizing Governor Gavin Newsom's decision to strip authority from the state's superintendent of Public Instruction, calling it an undemocratic power grab. The move, which was passed as part of a budget trailer bill, shifts day-to-day managerial power to a newly created position, the education commissioner, who will be appointed by and report directly to the governor. This change has sparked concerns among educators and voters, who argue that it undermines the independence of the superintendent and reduces accountability to the public.
- ▪Assembly Bill 181 shifts day-to-day managerial power from the state superintendent to a newly created position, the education commissioner.
- ▪The education commissioner will be appointed by and report directly to the governor, rather than being independently elected.
- ▪State superintendent candidate Sonja Shaw has vowed to challenge the bill in court, arguing that it strips voters of their right to hold the schools chief to account.
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Media California education leaders sound alarm over Newsom’s ‘brazen power grab’ stripping superintendent position Sonja Shaw vows court challenge, warning bill strips voters of their right to hold schools chief to account By Joshua Q. Nelson Fox News Published July 10, 2026 7:00am EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Newsom's 'power grab' is a direct assault on California Constitution: State superintendent candidate Teacher Freedom Alliance CEO Ryan Walters and California state superintendent candidate Sonja Shaw discuss Gov.
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