Petaluma school district reviews midyear LCAP data; English learners and students with disabilities remain focus areas

Petaluma City Schools presented a midyear update on the district’s Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) at its March board meeting, reporting mixed results on state indicators and outlining spending and program priorities for the 2024–25 school year.

Tony, a district staff member who led the presentation, said the California dashboard “is essentially a report card” that combines state and locally defined indicators to show where students are succeeding and where additional support is needed. The dashboard incorporates CAASPP test results, the California Alternate Assessment, chronic absenteeism and other measures, and the LCAP uses that data to guide funding and actions.

The update showed the district performing better than the state average in some measures while lagging in others. On English language arts, the district was about 7.2 points below standards compared with 13.2 points below statewide; the district declined roughly seven points from the prior year and is coded orange overall, with English learners and students with disabilities in red. Mathematics declined 3.3 points but was roughly on par with the state. Chronic absenteeism for K–8 was reported at 16.4 percent, a five-point improvement from the previous year.

District staff highlighted that long‑term English learners and students with disabilities require focused interventions. Tony said the district is maintaining a 46.1 percent progress rate toward English proficiency for English learners based on ELPAC results, “on par with the state,” but noted subgroup performance remains a concern.

The LCAP goals and budget allocations were described in some detail. Goal 1 (college and career readiness and broader student supports) had about $3.8 million budgeted with roughly $1.5 million spent to date; Goal 2 (social‑emotional supports and belonging) had just under $2 million budgeted with about $1.5 million spent; Goal 3 (improving ELA and math outcomes for students with disabilities) currently had no LCAP funds allocated and no expenditures recorded; Goal 4 (reclassification of English learners) had approximately $2 million budgeted with $1.6 million spent. Tony said the district will continue to monitor whether actions are producing intended results and that some goal changes require a longer review process because the LCAP operates on a three‑year cycle.

Board members asked about metrics and whether the district should adopt additional formative measures for students with disabilities, in part because state summative results are available only at year end. Board member Giovanna said she was concerned a 30‑point target for Goal 3 might be too low and urged the LCAP committee to examine alternative metrics and supports. Staff replied that they would explore other formative local assessments, attendance, suspension and graduation indicators and instructional access changes — for example, changes to a seven‑period day intended to expand course access.

The discussion also covered reclassification efforts and interpretation services. The district reported it is expanding language interpretation services through an external provider that can offer more than 200 languages and that the program will be monitored for use and cost. On diplomas, staff said California’s alternate diploma (CAA pathway) allows some students who take the California Alternate Assessment to obtain a state‑recognized diploma and that the district is exploring a local diploma option for students who do not qualify for the state alternative diploma.

Board members asked follow‑up questions about clarity of metrics, budgeting line items, and next steps. Tony said the LCAP committee will continue to examine actions and metrics, and the district will return with additional analysis and recommendations for any proposed changes.

The board did not take any binding action on the LCAP at this meeting; the presentation served as a midyear review and a basis for committee follow‑up and possible future board decisions.