10 questions to ask your school district about lcff

10 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR
SCHOOL DISTRICT ABOUT LCFF
Last week, the California Board of Education took a historic vote to approve the rules and regulations that pave the way for full
implementation of the Local Control Funding Formula, a new law that increases school funding to support students with the greatest needs.
Now comes the real work, and school districts have a lot to do between now and July 1. By that date, the law says they must
complete a three-year Local Control Accountability Plan (the LCAP) explaining how they will close the achievement gap,
especially for students who are low-income, English learners and foster youth. And, districts must create budgets that directly
support their new achievement goals.
A key requirement of the law is shared decision-making with parents, students and residents, including parent advisory
committees that will review plans and budgets. A clear timeline and process is essential so that everyone can participate.
Here’s a list of 10 questions to ask your local school district to clarify when and how decisions will be made:
What is your timetable for creating the LCAP plan and supporting budget?
1
2
What is the best way for parents, students, and community members to get involved in developing the plan?
Have you formed the parent advisory committees or process that the law requires?
If not, when will you? Will our district form an English Learner parent advisory committee? How can parents volunteer to participate? Once committees are formed, how can I reach out to members? When and where will the committees be meeting?
3
How will you involve youth leaders and students in decision-making?
4
Will you be holding community meetings, beyond the parent advisory committee meetings, to engage the broader community?
5
6
Will these meetings be scheduled at times and locations that are practical and accessible to community members?
Will you provide training in budgets and operations, so parents, youth and residents can fully take part in decision-making?
When the budget and LCAP are complete, how will you notify the community?
Where will you be posting the plans so they can be reviewed by the public? How will you receive comments from the community on the plans?
7
Will you be providing all information and conducting meetings in the languages that are preferred by parents, students and community members?
8
When will you be holding the public hearing on the LCAP and budget, as is required by law?
9
The law requires that you respond in writing to public comments on the LCAP and budget. 10
At which school board meeting do you anticipate that the final LCAP and budget will be approved, in order to have all documents completed by the July 1 state deadline?
Where, when and how do you plan to respond?
Your school district may still be working on answers to some of these questions, and if that’s the case, you can ask: When
and how will you get this information to the community? Which of your district staff members can I follow up with on these
questions and how can I reach them?
Thank you for your commitment to the success and health of California students, and please let us know how The California
Endowment can best support your community and school district in community outreach and engagement around this
important opportunity.

Download Report