Paramount Unified presents LCAP midyear update; foster youth and long‑term English learners placed in differentiated assistance

Doctor Nelson presented Paramount Unified’s required LCAP midyear update to the board, saying the California School Dashboard showed mixed results and that staff have identified two student groups for differentiated assistance: foster youth and long‑term English learners (students who have been English learners five or more years). "Differentiated assistance is not a punishment," Doctor Nelson said; "it means we must develop specific plans for these student groups."

Director Margarita Rodriguez and other staff walked board members through the dashboard particulars: suspension rate and the college‑and‑career indicator were in green, English language arts, mathematics and graduation were in yellow, and chronic absenteeism and English learner indicators were in orange. Rodriguez noted that some indicators reflect last year’s results, while other midyear metrics (attendance, local surveys) are still pending. "Some services are fully implemented; others are in progress or pending because we are only half‑way through the year," she said.

Budget staff provided an LCAP budget snapshot: the LCAP plan is budgeted at about $165 million, with approximately $59 million expended so far. Director Troy explained that the LCAP presentation shows the supplemental portion of LCFF and that the district’s total projected revenue has moved in recent projections (figures discussed on the slide showed earlier projections around $261 million that were later increased to about $271 million, while expenditures have also risen). Troy emphasized the midyear nature of the figures and that final year‑end values will be reported later.

Doctor Nelson highlighted two specific student groups the district must target: foster youth (noting chronic absenteeism and achievement indicators) and LTELs, who require a K–12 approach to accelerate English proficiency. He described a plan to continue site‑level work, community outreach meetings planned for February–March, and further review by the Los Angeles County Office of Education before a final draft returns to the board for a May vote. "We are in year two of the LCAP three‑year cycle," he said, "and we will continue outreach and refine actions as needed."

Board members asked for more comparative color‑coded trend data and school‑level breakdowns to understand where gains occurred and where extra supports may be targeted. Doctor Nelson and staff said they will return with additional data visualizations and community meeting dates as they solidify venues.