CSBA focuses on Local Control Funding Formula
Member training, regulatory advocacy under way
Published: August 1, 2013
With the implementation of the Local Control Funding Formula and its Local Control Accountability Plan under way, school finance and local governance are poised for big changes this school year.
“School governance is going to change radically in the next year as districts and county offices implement LCFF and gear up for the implementation of the LCAP,” explained CSBA Executive Director Vernon M. Billy, adding that CSBA’s Governance First agenda has never been more relevant and timely.
“LCFF and LCAP will dominate our advocacy focus in the months ahead given the magnitude of these endeavors and their impact on local governance. To help district leaders navigate the new funding system and related governance issues, this Governance First priority will be at the forefront of our education, training and communications efforts through 2014.”
Advocacy will influence regulations
By Jan. 31 of next year the State Board of Education will adopt regulations to govern the use of the supplemental and concentration grants to improve services to English learners, economically disadvantaged students and foster youth. By July 1, local educational agencies will be responsible for adopting three-year accountability plans to demonstrate how they are using LCFF funding to advance student success in each of eight priority areas that address student achievement, engagement and involvement. These include implementation of the Common Core State Standards; student achievement as measured by state assessments and the Academic Performance Index; college and career readiness; parent involvement; student engagement (dropout, attendance and graduation rates); school climate (suspensions, expulsions, campus safety and similar measures); and student access to a broad range of curricula.
County superintendents have been tasked with reviewing and approving each LCAP. County offices of education will also be responsible for providing technical assistance to ensure district budgets include the expenditures needed to implement the local accountability plans. With approval by the State Board, the state superintendent of public instruction may intervene if a district has not shown sufficient improvement in addressing LCAP outcomes.
Engage your colleagues around the state in discussions at My CSBA
CSBA Executive Director Vernon M. Billy explained the Local Control Funding Formula and the Local Control Accountability Plan:
“Our initial efforts have focused on information sharing so that members understand the new formula and what is expected of them with the new accountability measures. Now, our focus is on providing resources, guidance and governance tools to help our members implement both LCFF and LCAP. A primary focus now, for instance, is to aid board members in determining how they will involve parents and other stakeholder groups in the construction of the LCAP. A webinar, blog posts and online repository, unveiled this month, will help with this important initial first step toward the development of a LCAP.”
A new governance brief has been produced to give board leaders an initial tool to support them in their decision-making around their budget revisions for September and the initial steps to consider before beginning the planning process that will lead to development of the LCAP. Engage CSBA, a community accessible through www.csba.org/mycsba, includes online groups dedicated to LCFF and LCAP.
“If you have questions about LCFF or LCAP, need advice from peers or help accessing tools and resources, log onto My CSBA and join the discussion,” Billy urged. The Aug. 2 webinar that’s archived there, along with the Engage CSBA discussion groups, blog posts and other communications, are all designed to help members establish the foundation for making effective policy decisions around LCFF and the framework for a robust LCAP.
CSBA will provide ongoing support and information, culminating this year with presentations at the Annual Education Conference and Trade Show in December. To keep apprised of the latest developments with LCFF and LCAP, continue to reference CSBA’s Weekly Update email newsletter, the blog posts and website homepage as your “go to” sources for breaking information.