Azusa Unified holds interactive midyear LCAP study session; board flags English‑learner gaps and budget uncertainty

The Azusa Unified School District Board of Education on Feb. 25 held a study session to review the district’s midyear update to its 2024–27 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), an interactive event in which board members rotated through six stations to examine progress and needs for five district goals and the governor’s budget outlook.

"I am excited to share with you the district's progress towards our local control and accountability plan, which is also known as the LCAP during tonight's study session," Adriana Garcia Medina, director of educational services, told the board as she opened the session.

Board members reported a mix of progress and continuing needs across the five goals. Highlights included expanded dual‑enrollment and career‑pathway access at Azusa High School, improved outcomes for students who have reclassified out of English‑learner status, growth in community‑circle practices and other restorative‑climate programs, and the district’s efforts to post the midyear report and hold follow‑up community engagement meetings.

Several board members said English‑learner test scores remain an area for targeted work. Board member Rodriguez Pena and Board member Ramos noted gains for reclassified students but urged more supports to accelerate reclassification for current English learners so more students can meet state standards.

Directors described the LCAP review protocol used in the session: board members had 10 minutes of individual review followed by 10 minutes in small‑group discussions with educational services directors at each goal table, then reported one “glow” (an area of progress) and one “grow” (an area needing further work) back to the full board.

Budget staff warned of fiscal uncertainty tied to the state budget and pension costs. "That reduction in COLA of a half a percent equates to about $450,000," Latasha Jamal said while reviewing the governor’s budget assumptions and district projections. Jamal reported a projected 2.43 percent COLA scenario (down from a prior 2.93 percent projection) and said the district expects a revenue decline of approximately $3.2 million next year after factoring enrollment decline and other changes. Jamal also cited STRS at 19.10 percent and noted rising PERS contributions as a pressure on future budgets.

Superintendent and cabinet staff told the board the midyear LCAP report will be posted on the district website and that principals will present community engagement meetings and submit meeting dates back to the district to ensure parent outreach. Assistant Superintendent Camacho summarized instructional strategies demonstrated during the session, including gradual release, structured note taking and differentiated resources used in classrooms.

No formal action on the LCAP itself was taken at the study session; the meeting served as a review and information‑gathering step to inform the 2025–26 LCAP. The board did approve the meeting agenda at the start of the session and later approved adjournment at the end of the meeting (motions and tallies below).

Votes at a glance: - Approval of agenda (motion to approve; mover: Board Clerk Rodriguez Pena; second: Board Member Ramos) — Passed, 5–0 (Greer, Benavides, Rodriguez Pena, Ramos, Board President Arianez voted yes). - Adjournment (motion to adjourn; mover: Board Clerk Rodriguez Pena; second: Board Member Ramos) — Passed, tally recorded as 4 yes, 1 absent (individual roll calls not recorded for this motion in the transcript).

What happened next: district staff will incorporate board feedback into the LCAP development cycle and continue community engagement; the midyear report will be posted on the district website and principals will hold site‑level meetings to review the report with parents and staff.

Sources: presentation and discussion during the Feb. 25, 2025 Azusa Unified School District Board of Education meeting.