Community Corner

School Board Holds Special Meeting to Discuss New Education Funding Formula

This is the first opportunity to for the public to find out about the funding formula and have a say on how education dollars will best be spent.

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District will hold a special meeting Tuesday to discuss the implementation of a new state law that allows parents, local communities and schools more say in how education funds are spent..

The Local Control Funding Formula will determine how money will be sent to schools and how it will get spent. The idea is that the communities and schools will best determine their individual needs. For example, one school may need to spend more money on hiring additional teachers while another may need updated equipment.

For the first time in eight years, schools in California will receive an increased budget, a welcome relief after years of education cuts. The LCFF will also give supplemental grants to the district for low-income students, English-language learners or foster children. For school districts where the majority of students fall into one or more of these categories, the state will also give a concentration grant.

Find out what's happening in Santa Monicawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This is a big change from how California funds schools for decades. Besides curriculum guidelines, the state would also have what is known as categorical funding, money for a specific project or program. That means money earmarked for roof repair could not be spent to fix a broken window. The new funding formula will allow schools more flexibility to spend money where they are needed.

The special school board meeting Tuesday is the first opportunity for the public to listen to the board’s presentation, ask questions and provide input as the district develops its Local Control Accountability Plan, something required by the new law. The plan must address eight priorities identified by the state.

Find out what's happening in Santa Monicawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  1. Basic services such as appropriately assigned teachers and instructional materials, adequate school facilities
  2. Implementation of Common Core Curriculum Standards, especially for English language learners
  3. Parental involvement, including outreach to parents of disadvantaged students
  4. Student achievement, including test scores, college readiness and language proficiency
  5. Student engagement, including attendance, dropout and graduation rates
  6. School climate including suspensions and expulsions, safety and campus connections
  7. Course access, including core classes and special programs for needy students
  8. Other student outcomes demonstrating a broad course of study.

The plan must also include goals for all students and action plans on how to achieve them.

The special Board of Education meeting will be at 4 p.m. at Lincoln Middle School, 1501 California Ave.

Click here for the agenda.


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