FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 26, 2014
Contact: Valerie Martinez, Christina L. Esparza, (909) 447-2400

Meetings scheduled in March to address Local Control and Accountability Plan

Officials at the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District are seeking community input as they prepare to implement new funding guidelines that are designed to improve schools, as well as prepare students to graduate and be college- and career-ready.

Two meetings are scheduled to discuss the new Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), which shifts spending decisions from the state to local school districts. The first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4 at La Mirada High School starting at 6 p.m. The next meeting will be held in the Norwalk community at John Glenn High School on Wednesday, March 12 at 6 p.m.

“These meetings are essential to help us prepare for the implementation of this funding,” said NLMUSD Superintendent Dr. Ruth Pérez. “Nobody knows the needs of the District better than the community that surrounds it. We want to ensure that we are receiving everyone’s opinions and addressing their concerns.”

LCAP, which is the new way in which schools are funded under Gov. Jerry Brown’s new formula, is designed to give districts the flexibility to spend money to improve schools and requires them to focus on eight key areas to help students succeed:

  • Providing students with access to fully credentialed teachers, safe facilities and instructional materials that align with state standards;
  • Implementing a variety of state standards, including the Common Core, Visual and Performing Arts, English language development and more;
  • Encouraging parent participation to keep the community engaged in the decision-making process;
  • Improving student achievement;
  • Supporting student engagement;
  • Highlighting school climate and connectedness;
  • Providing access to classes that prepare students for college and career;
  • And measuring important student outcomes in all areas of study.

“This opportunity is unprecedented. For so long, major fiscal decision-making has been left up to people who don’t know our students or our educators as well as our community does,” said NLMUSD Board President Margarita Rios. “These town hall meetings are wonderful opportunities for parents to have a say in how District money is spent to better their children’s education.”