What is LCAP and LCFF?
Please attend the February Chapter Meeting (Monday, February 22, 2016 at 4:30 p.m.) to have a discussion regarding CSEA’s input into the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) for Charter Oak this year.
What is this LCFF and LCAP? Why is it important?
Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) is the new school funding calculation in California. During the 2013–14 budget process, the Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown implemented the LCFF to give Local Education Agencies (LEAs), such as school districts and county offices of education, and their stakeholders more control over how to spend state funds to effectively deliver education programs. Most categorical programs — except a handful mandated by state or federal law — were eliminated when the LCFF was implemented. Instead of earmarking funds to districts for specific purposes, the state now gives all LEAs money in single pot known as the Base Grant. They may also receive additional funds from Supplemental and Concentration grants if they have certain amounts of specific student populations.
Districts are required by statute to consult with stakeholders — including classified school employees and their unions — to develop their LCAP goals and road map.
As part of the LCFF, school districts must develop a Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) to set goals in eight priority areas specified by the state. In their LCAP, LEAs must outline the path they will follow to achieve their goals in each of the eight priorities by using LCFF monies. Districts are required by statute to consult with stakeholders — including classified school employees and their unions — to develop their LCAP goals and road map.
The eight areas are: Basic Conditions of Learning, Implementation of State Standards, Course Access, Pupil Achievement, Pupil Outcomes, Parent Involvement, Pupil Engagement and School Climate.
Classified employees fit in every one of these area. Ideas that CSEA needs to present to the district are specific points that we as a union would like to see in the LCAP. Some ideas that were in the 2014–15 LCAP are: increasing the number in many classifications to meet the needs of the district, increasing hours for elementary school library technicians, enhancing the opportunities for Classified Personnel professional development.
Will all our ideas make the final plan? Maybe not, the Governing Board will make the final decision after getting input from the employee groups and other stakeholders. We know this is on short notice, but we would like to have your input at our chapter meeting on February 22. If you cannot make this meeting, please send in your ideas any way. There are other opportunities to give input to the LCAP during the whole process.
Send your ideas to Henry Quintana, Chapter President, at M & O or e-mail him at henryq38@gmail.com
