Overview

The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) represents the most significant change in California’s funding system for K-12 schools in four decades. It is the central feature of landmark legislation, Assembly Bill 97, currently being implemented in every California school district. It will affect every school in the state, including charter schools. One goal of the new law is to improve academic outcomes by providing more money to school districts that serve high-needs students. Another goal is to give local school districts and stakeholders more authority to decide how to spend education dollars, and also hold districts accountable for getting results.

The Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) is an important component of the LCFF. Under the LCFF all school districts and charter schools are required to prepare an LCAP, which describes how they intend to meet annual goals for all pupils, with specific activities to address state and local priorities. Like all other districts in the state, the Mendota Unified School Board has to adopt an LCAP on or before July 1, 2014.