Some school districts across the state have seen the funding tide turn--in the favor of education for a change.
With the implementation of the Local Control Funding Formula at the start of the 2013-2014 school year, districts have been seeing more money under the new funding structure. The previous funding model consisted of a Revenue Limit, funds which could be used at the district's discretion, and 40 different Categorical Funds, which could be spent on strict guidelines.
The LCFF eliminated the majority of the Categorical Funds and introduced a new funding model consisting of a Target Base Grant (uniform grants based on grade spans), Supplemental Grants (disbursed to student groups of a higher need) and Concentration Grants (disbursed to districts with a certain percentage of needy students), according to the California Teachers Association.
The Glendora Unified School District has been gathering information in preparation for some aspects of LCFF that have not been implemented yet, said Robert Voors, Superintendent of Glendora Unified.
Charter Oak Unified School District has done the same, in addition to receiving much training ahead of when Sacramento adopting a template for action on a Local Control Accountability Plan, which will be drafted by the districts.
Funding is determined differently under LCFF and is divided into four target base rates according to grade level:
K-3, $6,845
4-6, $6,947
7-8, $7,154
9-12, $8,289
Districts must also work to reduce class sizes in the K-3 target base to be eligible for more funding in future years.
Voors said that, although the previous funding model did not hinder the district's ability to serve the students, it provided little flexibility.
"Under the LCFF we hope to see much more flexibility with funding, Voors said. "With the LCFF, the district will continue to focus on providing the best resources for student needs."
Hendricks, on the other hand, believes the new funding structure may add more restrictions.
"The new funding model with the supplemental funding sources based on English language learners, economically disadvantaged, and foster youth, along with Common Core funds, have put more restrictions on district and school revenues," Hendricks said. "This is yet to be determined, though."
Concentration Grants, another funding aspect under LCFF, target students who are identified as either English Learners, Low-Income and Foster Youth. A district with more that 55 percent of its student body fitting into these categories will receive an additional 50 percent of the adjusted base rate for each of these students, the CTA said.
Approximately 56 percent of Charter Oak's student population consists of the EL/LI/FY students, Hendricks said.
On the other hand, Glendora Unified's EL/LI/FY population is just over 25 percent and the district will not qualify for the concentration grant, Voors said.
One of the tentpoles of the LCFF is to ensure the involvement of parents and show transparency. Districts are required to create a Local Control and Accountability Plan, which also should include methods for parental engagement and involvement.
The LCFF is expected to be fully phased in by the 2019-2020 year.
