Santa Rita Union presents midyear LCAP report showing mixed gains, half of budget spent

Santa Rita Union School District staff presented the midyear Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) review at the board meeting, reporting that most actions are “in progress” and that district spending is roughly halfway through the year for many funded items.

The report, presented during the informational LCAP midyear item, summarized progress and expenditures across the district’s 10 LCAP goals, including academic achievement in English language arts and math, supports for multilingual and special education students, technology investments, attendance and school climate, and staff recruitment and retention. The presentation noted specific program changes and staffing funded through LCAP and other sources.

District staff said assessment and professional development work continues; highlights included stronger I‑Ready growth this fall-to-winter window than in the prior year and more than 50 ViewSonic classroom displays installed districtwide. The report also listed personnel funded by LCAP, including three of four English learner (EL) specialists paid from LCAP funds (one EL specialist at Santa Rita funded with CSI-targeted state funds).

On academics, presenters said goal 1 (ELA) and goal 2 (math) metrics and actions are largely in progress. The district reported that 50 teachers participated in optional professional development beyond required training for ELA and that I‑Ready growth this year exceeded comparable growth last year. For math, the district said it implemented six hours of mathematical content training for all middle-school math teachers and has begun site-level coordination of interventions (cost/coordination-of-services teams) that lead into MTSS and SST processes.

For multilingual students, the district noted expansion of a designated ELD curriculum (English 3D) to kindergarten through third grade this year after beginning in grades 4–8 last year. Presenters said last year’s EL progress increased at some sites (JG and Santa Rita) and that the district expects further gains as K–3 implementation continues.

On technology and access, the district reported a significant rise in regular classroom use of instructional technology and said parent reports indicate full home internet access for students, credited in part to outreach by community liaisons to connect families with low‑ or no‑cost internet or hotspots. Staff also flagged a need to streamline duplicative educational technology applications to tighten budgets.

Special education metrics were described as mostly in progress; the presenter said many supports for students with IEPs are funded outside LCAP, though the district may propose LCAP additions where needs are high. The district reported positive feedback from general‑education teachers who attended training to support students with IEPs, and a reduced “distance from standard” measure on some assessments.

Staffing and recruitment work was noted as in progress. The district said it is supporting 16 intern/pre‑intern teachers and 24 induction coaches this year; staff retention fell slightly (about a 3% decline). The report said about half of the current budget for recruitment/retention actions is spent now and that some stipends and contracts will post later in the year.

Board members asked for clarifications on MTSS for math and dyslexia screening. The presenter said site-level coordination-of-services work is underway (a precursor to SST) and that the district’s Curriculum Council recently reviewed approved dyslexia screeners and will choose among them after reviewing one remaining option.

The district emphasized that midyear spending levels — about half of budgeted amounts on many goals — are expected this time of year and said completed actions include certain hires and purchased items. The presentation concluded by inviting board questions and further public engagement as staff refine next year’s LCAP.

The board did not take action on LCAP at the meeting; the item was informational.