Fullerton trustees hear midyear LCAP: modest test dips, budget largely on track

Fullerton School District trustees on Feb. 17 received a midyear Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) update showing small declines on district I‑Ready ELA and math measures compared with last year, modest reductions in chronic absenteeism and an overall budget tracking consistent with LCAP goals.

"The LCAP is a tool used by districts to set goals, plan actions and identify resources to improve student outcomes," an LCAP presenter told the board. The presentation noted the district is in year two of a three‑year LCAP cycle and will present the 2026–27 LCAP in June.

District staff reported that I‑Ready midyear results for ELA and math were "slightly lower than last year's students," while growth from the start of the year to midyear is about the same. Chronic absenteeism at the December checkpoint was slightly lower than last year; midyear suspension rates were about 0.5 percent and, if trends continue, are expected to be lower than last year's 1.3 percent.

Financially, Director of Business and Fiscal Services Damian Ibarra said LCFF (Local Control Funding Formula) resources increased modestly at first interim: "Total LCFF funds increased from $142,000,000 at adopted budget to $142.7 million at first interim," he said. He reported state restricted funds rose by about $5.6 million, local restricted funds by about $0.8 million, and federal restricted funds by about $0.9 million; total LCAP‑aligned expenditures remain at $185.2 million with $48.7 million spent to date.

Trustees pressed for school‑level breakdowns where I‑Ready declines were seen and asked how new state literacy allocations (referenced in the governor's May revise) are recorded in district accounts. Staff said those allocations are tracked as restricted resources and agreed to provide a detailed breakdown of where the literacy funding and other new restricted dollars are budgeted and spent.

The LCAP team also described outreach and engagement: the advisory committee meets multiple times a year, the district increased parent survey responses compared with last year, and the district is scheduled to hold a public LCAP hearing in June before considering formal adoption later that month.

Next steps: staff will provide trustees with school‑level performance data and a restricted‑funds breakdown for state literacy funding; the board will review the full LCAP draft and hold a public hearing in June.