California’s approved state budget package strips authority from the elected state superintendent of public instruction, transferring oversight in January to an appointee of the governor. The change alters the governance and management of California’s education system serving more than 6 million students from preschool through 12th grade. Supporters said the consolidation will improve accountability and coordination across education agencies. Critics—including a labor coalition that included the state’s two largest teachers’ unions—argued the change bypasses the state constitution and voters by replacing an elected constitutional officer with an appointee. The policy is described as having been folded into the budget as a trailer measure rather than moving through a full legislative process, adding to concerns about transparency and democratic checks on education leadership.