Rescue Union trustees hear parent survey showing high satisfaction but calls for smaller classes and more advanced options

Superintendent Jim Schumake told the Rescue Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees that the district nnual parent survey found high overall satisfaction but flagged recurring concerns about class size and advanced learning opportunities.

"When this survey goes out, it goes out to about 11,000 people. I hit send and refresh. Refresh," Schumake said as he opened the board iscussion on the Local Control and Accountability Plan, or LCAP.

The survey had 374 parent responses this year, down 33 respondents (about 8%) from the previous year, but the superintendent stressed the pattern of responses across four years as the primary indicator. Schumake reported that roughly 92% of families said their child feels safe at school; 94% said their child can name an adult who cares about them; and roughly 90% said their child receives quality instruction. He summarized the results as "predominantly" positive while noting "we have work to do still."

The nut graf: the LCAP is the district ocument that ties goals, actions and spending to student needs; the board was presented the survey data to inform minor revisions to the draft 2024'7 LCAP and to set the public-review timeline.

On strengths, Schumake and the board highlighted family communication, a sense of connection between students and adults, clean facilities, availability of instructional materials and broad participation in enrichment experiences. Schumake pointed to programs such as tutoring for English learners and school-level multi-tiered systems of support as examples of ongoing work.

On areas for improvement, the board and superintendent heard persistent parent requests for: smaller average class sizes; more instructional aides, counselors and support personnel; and clearer options for advanced students (a K— pathway or GATE-like programming). Schumake noted the district does not receive the same state concentration funding as higher-funded districts and described class-size reductions as costly and tied to statewide funding formulas: "If we were getting the same funding as Natomas, San Juan, Folsom Cordova, Elk Grove, Oakland, LA, San Diego, we would have about 30% more of a budget than we do right now," he said, framing why immediate systemwide class-size reduction is not included in the draft LCAP revisions.

The board heard clarifying discussion of what the district already provides for advanced learners: in-class differentiation, use of diagnostic platforms (IXL in grades 3—), reading groups and some site-level practices such as moving students between classrooms for math at certain sites. Board members and staff discussed that universal, districtwide "pathways" would create equity and staffing challenges and that the district instead will explore targeted acceleration and academically framed enrichment opportunities.

Schumake described two narrow proposed LCAP revisions that would incorporate the board dopted December goals under a new "commitment to community" focus: (1) expand community partnerships to support student success, and (2) increase family involvement and participation. Those two items are presented as additions to actions already in the draft LCAP rather than wholesale program changes.

The board was told the LCAP public hearing is scheduled for June 10 and adoption of the LCAP and the district budget is scheduled for the June 17 board meeting. Schumake said the survey findings would be "baked into" the final LCAP the board will consider in June.

Ending: trustees took no formal action on the LCAP at the meeting; the superintendent and staff will return the revised draft for the June 10 public hearing and a June 17 approval vote.