Trustees, district leaders and staff used a governance workshop Aug. 10 to revisit the 2021-2027 strategic plan and to talk about student outcomes, assessment timing and budget implications.

Why it matters: Trustees said they want the strategic plan to drive the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and district budget. Several called for a reassessment of assumptions that underpinned the 2021 plan, particularly the expectation of steady post-pandemic growth in student performance.

Trustees and staff said state CAASPP results are slow to arrive (often embargoed until October or November), and noted the district uses the I Ready benchmark three times a year to get earlier internal measures of student progress. One trustee said, 'I don't see the growth on that same trajectory here nor the rebound growth,' and urged a closer alignment of strategy, budget and program priorities.

Budget context: Superintendent Jeff told trustees the district faces 'deficit spending situation by about $8,000,000', roughly 6.5% of the annual budget, which he said is about $133,000,000. Trustees also reported healthy reserve levels, described in the workshop as roughly 33%.

Trustees discussed prioritizing 'mission-critical' functions and distinguishing 'must-haves' from 'nice-to-haves' in coming fall budget deliberations. Several members asked staff to return with adjustments to the strategic plan and recommendations on how that plan should drive the LCAP and the budget.

Equity and safety concerns: Multiple trustees flagged persistent gaps in achievement and opportunity across student groups. One trustee noted particular concerns for special education students, English learners and socioeconomically disadvantaged students, and raised safety concerns expressed by immigrant families about whether children feel safe attending school amid national immigration enforcement activity.

Ending: Trustees directed staff to prepare materials this fall tying the strategic-plan goals to measurable student progress indicators and budget scenarios for the board's review during the fall budgeting process.