January 20 (Sacramento): The state’s new Local Control Funding Formula is bringing sweeping changes to the ways schools are funded and how K-12 districts are held accountable for using state resources.

In general, LCFF has fewer funding restrictions that tie resources to certain programs. In exchange for this new flexibility, districts are required to develop accountability plans that detail how spending is aligned with California’s eight priorities for public education.

On Wednesday, SCUSD is holding a public forum on its Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). The meeting is part of a broader public engagement plan that seeks to give the community a greater voice in budgeting decisions.
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, at the Serna Center, 5735 47th Ave.
At the meeting, participants will learn about SCUSD programs already in place that address the state’s eight educational priorities:
• Basic Services
• Implementation of Common Core State Standards
• Course Access
• Parental Involvement
• School Climate
• Student Achievement
• Student Engagement
• Other Student Outcomes

In addition, SCUSD Chief Business Officer Ken Forrest will present 2014-15 budget information. The district anticipates that new revenue will be offset by rising costs and a loss of Average Daily Attendance (ADA) funding due to declining enrollment.

SCUSD’s goal is to include teachers, principals, students, parents, community members and strategic partners in a discussion of such programs as the Common Core State Standards, high school Linked Learning Career Pathways and innovative parent engagement programs such as the Parent-Teacher Home Visit Project and Academic Parent Teacher Team pilot programs.