Superintendent’s Written Response to LCAP Advisory Committee questions related to the 2024-2025 LCAP:

Q:  Please explain the metrics related to suspension.

A:  The suspension rate data presented aligns with the metrics reported on the California School Dashboard. The Dashboard is updated annually in the fall, reflecting data from the prior school year. Specifically, the suspension rates shown originate from the 2022-2023 school year.

The district-wide metric captures the percentage of all students suspended one or more times over the course of that school year. Additionally, suspension data is broken out for key student groups that comprise the unduplicated pupil percentage - English learners, foster youth, and low-income students. The district must also address any student groups identified in the "red" performance band on the Dashboard (see Metric 1.20 on page 21).

New this year are supplemental metrics that detail suspension rates for any student group at each individual school site that landed in the red band (Metrics 1.21 through 1.32 on pages 22-25). The "Baseline" figures represent the most recent 2023 Dashboard data release. The district then sets a "Target for 3 Year Outcome" aimed at decreasing suspension rates over the three-year LCAP cycle.

This comprehensive reporting allows for nuanced analysis of suspension trends across the district and deploying targeted intervention strategies for the highest-need student populations and school sites.

Q: Knowing that the district anticipates a smaller LCAP budget for the coming year, where were cuts made in the plan? Are they enough to cover the shortfall? How are counseling and ACC staff affected?

A: To address the anticipated smaller LCAP budget for the upcoming year, the district made strategic cuts by reducing the number of positions that pulled teaching staff away from classroom instructional duties. Many of these supplemental positions had been funded through LCAP resources. This reduction provided sufficient cost savings to cover the projected budget shortfall, while still maintaining critical supports and services aimed at meeting students' needs.

All school sites, both elementary and secondary, will continue receiving counseling support under this plan. Secondary schools will see some reduction in counseling staff, however, caseload ratios are projected to remain below contractually stipulated maximums.

The Academic Case Carrier (ACC) staff will experience a minor impact, as the district has decided to leave vacant ACC positions unfilled for the new year rather than hire replacements.

Overall, while some trim downs were necessitated by the tighter budget constraints, the district carefully prioritized preserving key counseling services and case management supports for students to the greatest extent feasible.

Q: There is a slight increase to the amount allocated to Enhanced Facility Projects. What is the reason for this?

A:  The slight increase in the amount allocated to Enhanced Facility Projects is due to the escalating costs of construction materials and contracted labor services. This additional funding ensures that the existing scope and level of support for facility enhancement initiatives can be sustained despite the inflationary pressures impacting project expenses. By adjusting the budget proactively, we aim to avoid compromising the quality or progress of these critical infrastructure improvement efforts.