LCFF: CSBA outreach to members under way
Information delivered in person, online, in print
Published: September 1, 2013
Questions about the state's Local Control Funding Formula abound, so CSBA is launching a statewide effort to keep governance teams informed about how the new system impacts them.
CSBA experts have begun visiting meetings of school board members throughout the state with details of the new law. In addition, a series of interactive, in-depth workshops kicked off Sept. 6 in Fresno, to be followed by sessions in Los Angeles, San Diego, Contra Costa and Sacramento, with other locations being scheduled. The in-person sessions respond to the thirst for information and guidance that was evident from CSBA’s Aug. 2 webinar, “Local Control Funding Formula: What Governing Board Members Need to Know Now.” Record registration for that event, along with numerous questions and requests for information, made it clear that board members in regions throughout the state would appreciate the outreach.
Executive Director Vernon M. Billy, along with senior staff, will provide an overview of LCFF at several events and delve deeper into various aspects of the law, answer questions and leave the audience with resources to use locally.
“The time is now for local board members to lead their districts in thinking and planning around LCFF,” said Billy. “These events are the first of several strategies designed to provide our members with the information they need to successfully govern during this important process.”
Other regional presentations, archived webcasts and webinars, and a new series of governance briefs and fact sheets is available to educate board members anywhere in the state. See them at www.csba.org/LCFF, where new resources are posted as they become available.
Regional input sessions
Regional sessions that state officials convened last month to gather input about LCFF’s implementation drew capacity crowds. Comments from CSBA members, parents and education and advocacy groups revealed a clamor for more information about the law, as well as concerns about forthcoming accountability requirements.
The three sessions, held at six locations over three days, were facilitated by WestEd on behalf of the State Board of Education and California Department of Education. They provided local governing board members and education advocates an opportunity to weigh in as the State Board and CDE develop regulations, templates and guidance for local educational agencies to implement LCFF.
“LCFF is a major restructuring of school finance and presents significant opportunities and challenges to local governing boards to make decisions to support their students and school systems,” said CSBA Legislative Advocate Andrea Ball, who thanked the local board members, CSBA officers and delegates who testified and submitted comments. “Their voices will be critical for informing State Board and CDE decisions on key elements of LCFF.”