Carlsbad Unified, like all school districts in California, is grappling with a new school funding formula and accountability plan, slated to go into effect on July 1.
This past June, after 40 years under an antiquated school funding model, the State of California adopted the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) and Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). This new funding and accountability system:
1) Provides a uniform funding level for every student in California based on their grade span (elementary, middle or high school).
2) Establishes an incremental approach to reducing grade K-3 class size over the course of the next seven years. The intent is for all primary grade classes across the state be at a 24-to-1 by the year 2020.
3) Provides additional revenue to serve students with the greatest needs, such as our English Language Learners, children from low income families, and foster youth.
4) With fewer strings attached, gives our school board and local community a greater say in how district funds are spent.
Because property taxes within CUSD's boundaries are slightly higher than the funding proposed under LCFF, Carlsbad is currently a "Basic Aid" district, and would not receive state funding under LCFF. However that could change depending on future property tax revenues.
While we're excited that CUSD will be experiencing some much-needed improvements to our budget in 2014-15, it must be said that this new funding model does not address California's low level of school funding.
The accountability measures under the new LCAP are aligned with eight statewide priority goals.
These eight priority goals are: Student Achievement; School Climate; Credentials & Materials; Implementation of Common Core Standards; Other Student Outcomes; Parental Involvement; Course Access; and Student Engagement.
Many of the requirements under the LCAP are already being addressed in Carlsbad Unified's existing work to raise student achievement, but we still have some work to do before the Board adopts CUSD's LCAP plan in June.
We invite all the Carlsbad community to share your perspectives on our spending priorities as they relate to the eight statewide goals. Carlsbad Unified looks forward to collaborating with the community as we create the best possible educational opportunities for our world-changing students.
This past June, after 40 years under an antiquated school funding model, the State of California adopted the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) and Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). This new funding and accountability system:
1) Provides a uniform funding level for every student in California based on their grade span (elementary, middle or high school).
2) Establishes an incremental approach to reducing grade K-3 class size over the course of the next seven years. The intent is for all primary grade classes across the state be at a 24-to-1 by the year 2020.
3) Provides additional revenue to serve students with the greatest needs, such as our English Language Learners, children from low income families, and foster youth.
4) With fewer strings attached, gives our school board and local community a greater say in how district funds are spent.
Because property taxes within CUSD's boundaries are slightly higher than the funding proposed under LCFF, Carlsbad is currently a "Basic Aid" district, and would not receive state funding under LCFF. However that could change depending on future property tax revenues.
While we're excited that CUSD will be experiencing some much-needed improvements to our budget in 2014-15, it must be said that this new funding model does not address California's low level of school funding.
The accountability measures under the new LCAP are aligned with eight statewide priority goals.
These eight priority goals are: Student Achievement; School Climate; Credentials & Materials; Implementation of Common Core Standards; Other Student Outcomes; Parental Involvement; Course Access; and Student Engagement.
Many of the requirements under the LCAP are already being addressed in Carlsbad Unified's existing work to raise student achievement, but we still have some work to do before the Board adopts CUSD's LCAP plan in June.
We invite all the Carlsbad community to share your perspectives on our spending priorities as they relate to the eight statewide goals. Carlsbad Unified looks forward to collaborating with the community as we create the best possible educational opportunities for our world-changing students.