District presents midyear LCAP: reading growth continues, math plateaus; special‑education residency and community schools expand

The Lemon Grove School District presented its midyear Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) review, reporting steady reading gains, a plateau in math growth, lower suspensions and progress on several staffing and community initiatives.

Executive Director Amy Fullanar led the academic review. Using i‑Ready midyear results, Fullanar said reading proficiency has risen over four years from about 31% (2021–22) to 35% this year and that 38% of students had already met their typical end‑of‑year reading growth target by midyear while 13% met the more ambitious stretch goal. Fullanar reported the district’s average student was 67% of the way to the annual typical growth reading target at midyear — above the expected 50% point.

In math, Fullanar said growth has plateaued: districtwide measures show about 23% meeting the midyear typical growth goal, unchanged from the prior year. The district’s average student was 55% of the way to the annual typical growth target in math. Fullanar noted subgroup trends: Black/African‑American and multilingual learner progress varied by subject and remained an area of focus.

Dr. Chavez reviewed recruitment and retention work. He described a residency partnership for special‑education teachers with the county office, Point Loma Nazarene University and National University that provides a paid residency model with a state‑funded $20,000 stipend and a paraprofessional wage while candidates complete credential requirements. “We are only one of three districts doing this,” Chavez said, and the program had four interns this year with four more proposed next year.

Deputy Superintendent Rebecca Burton presented on community and connectedness, highlighting community schools expansion and student supports. Burton said the state five‑year school‑based mental‑health grant (awarded in 2022) funds additional social workers and supports; the district also adopted Navigate360 for intervention monitoring. She said community‑schools grants now cover five of eight sites and cited one concrete service: a no‑cost laundry room at Monterey Heights, supplied by community schools funding.

Chief Business Officer Ms. Barton presented operational items, including a facilities master‑plan update and progress on the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) campus that opened in January. Barton said the district certified the results of Measure CC and Measure EE general obligation bond election from Nov. 5, 2024; trustees approved a resolution accepting the election results.

Metrics: Burton reported a midyear suspension rate of 2.69% (the district goal was ≤3.3%) and chronic absenteeism at 26% (the goal was <28%). She noted chronic absenteeism has declined from 46.7% in 2021–22 to 32.3% at the end of 2023–24 and said the district aims to reduce the rate further. Full state assessment results presented included CAASPP figures cited by staff: approximately 35.6% met or exceeded standards in ELA and 25.3% met or exceeded standards in math (staff presented these as context for the LCAP goals).

Trustees asked operational and program questions about transportation procurement, Raptor visitor‑management capacity at school offices, and plans for staff training on active‑shooter and de‑escalation protocols. Several trustees praised attendance gains and community engagement events. The board voted to accept the midyear LCAP review and to file a county‑office oversight letter the county had prepared confirming receipt and noting the district’s $2.8 million unrestricted general‑fund deficit in the multi‑year projection.