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Kern County staff preview LCAP goals and a budget showing modest revenue shifts for 2026–27
Summary
County staff presented the Local Control and Accountability Plan (five goals including social‑emotional development and supports for foster youth and special education) and a draft 2026–27 County School Service Fund budget that projects a small drop in LCFF revenue tied to lower ADA projections and the creation of a cafeteria enterprise fund to separate catering activities from school‑lunch operations.
County staff reviewed the draft Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and the proposed 2026–27 County School Service Fund budget in a public hearing, and trustees asked clarifying questions ahead of a June vote.
Desiree VanFlew walked trustees through the county LCAP, which she described as a three‑year plan focused on five goals: social‑emotional development; academic achievement; student engagement and school climate; services for foster youth (a countywide priority); and special education. She emphasized county services that support alternative education, community schools and court schools, noting the county serves roughly 1,300 students and an enrollment figure of just over 2,000 in those programs. "Those that we're serving during their time of incarceration are with us for an average of 36 days; those enrolled in our community schools are with us for an average of 78 days," VanFlew said, highlighting the short-term and transitional nature of many placements.
Jonathan (budget staff) presented the budget summary and explained revenue and expenditure shifts. He said the draft general‑fund revenue projection shows a $45,000 decrease in LCFF revenue from 2025–26 to 2026–27 driven by a projected drop in Average Daily Attendance (ADA) from 546 to 476. He also noted a modest $72,000 increase in federal revenue and an expected $13,000,000 decrease in other state revenue tied largely to one‑time grants that are not expected to repeat. Jonathan described a technical change moving catering and other enterprise activities into a new cafeteria enterprise fund to keep school‑lunch operations and catering separate.
Trustees pressed for clarification about how the equity multiplier funding is determined, how the county compares to nearby offices, and the mechanics of ADA projections. Staff explained the LCFF/LCAP calculators and the use of running averages for ADA projections; they said next year is projected conservatively using a three‑year average and noted that one COVID year inflated historical figures used in those averages.
The LCAP will return to the board in June for final consideration and adoption along with budget approvals. No final budget vote was taken at this meeting.
