Draft 2026–27 LCAP presented; board pushes for more focus on early literacy and college/career readiness

Associate Superintendent Elizabeth “Beth” Casey presented the district’s draft 2026–27 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) during a public hearing, telling trustees the three‑year plan reflects feedback from educational partners and four overarching themes: mathematics achievement, social‑emotional/behavioral supports, cohesion/communication, and student connectedness.

Casey said the district anticipates receiving roughly $7.2 million in LCFF supplemental funds for 2026–27, carries over about $450,000 from lower‑than‑anticipated spending, and plans about $8.1 million in expenditures aligned to LCAP actions. “You can see how the total distribution aligns between our 3 goal areas, including approximately $1.2 million for goal 1 around math improvement, $2.4 million for social, emotional, and behavioral supports, and approximately $4.5 million for goal 3,” Casey said.

Trustees used the presentation to press for refinements in emphasis and clarity. One trustee asked that early literacy and college‑and‑career readiness move from being lumped into broader categories to clearer, prioritized actions. “My hope is … that we move beyond maintaining in those areas,” the trustee said, asking staff to “really dive a little deeper” on early literacy and career readiness in LCAP meetings.

Casey said the LCAP is in a rewrite year and staff will continue to gather community input, present local indicators and narratives (to be published on the California School Dashboard in fall 2026), and bring the LCAP budget back for board action June 10. Trustees and staff noted the LCAP will be revised based on educational partner feedback and that technical corrections not changing intent would be allowed before final submission to the county office of education.