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Buckeye Union spotlight: district pushes "Raise The Base!" funding advocacy and reports student growth
Summary
Superintendent David Roth briefed trustees on the California Dashboard and the "Raise The Base!" advocacy effort to increase LCFF base funding, noting Buckeye Union’s position below the statewide median, growth metrics of over 70% for ELA/math, and chronic absenteeism at 6.3%.
Superintendent David Roth presented two district priorities at the Feb. 4 Board meeting: an overview of the California School Dashboard and an update on "Raise The Base!", an advocacy initiative aimed at increasing the base level of LCFF funding.
Roth reviewed statewide and county dashboard tools and highlighted district performance: science performance in the "high" range and new growth metrics showing more than 70% of students demonstrating growth in English language arts and mathematics. He also reported chronic absenteeism at 6.3% districtwide and a suspension rate of about 2%.
On funding, Roth explained Buckeye Union’s relatively low LCFF funding position is driven in part by a lower unduplicated pupil percentage. He framed raising the LCFF base as the most viable way to improve funding adequacy without widening disparities and described outreach to a growing coalition of districts and organizations supporting the effort, along with an online toolkit and petition.
Board members asked questions about how raising the base would address inflationary cost drivers (benefits, special education, technology, utilities, insurance) and possible strategies for identifying legislative champions. Trustees asked for equal opportunity to participate in outreach and for staff to continue refining regional data to support advocacy.
Separately, Superintendent Roth and Assistant Superintendent Jackie McHaney presented the district's Mid-Year Local Control Accountability Plan update, noting i-Ready growth metrics and expressing confidence in finishing the year in a strong position. No public comments were offered on these items.
(Background: LCFF = Local Control Funding Formula.)
