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In the next few months the LA Unified school board is set to make a number of critical decisions regarding the spending of new education dollars coming into the district. To prepare, both LAUSD officials and local advocacy groups are ramping up community engagement efforts to get public input on spending priorities.

Communities for Los Angeles Student Success (CLASS) is holding the first of eight “Town Hall” meetings this evening at Community Coalition in south Los Angeles, where officials plan to explain how the recently passed Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) works and how the money is intended to help students with the greatest needs.

“Our message is simple,” said Maria Brenes, Executive Director of InnerCity Struggle, in a CLASS press release. “LCFF is about making sure schools that serve the neediest students get the resources they need to close the achievement and opportunity gaps that exist in neighborhoods.”

In addition to the town hall gatherings, CLASS is circulating a petition, urging the board to support the thrust of the new funding law. CLASS is also planning to hold a rally at the March 4 school board meeting.

The district is also reaching out to the community, with individual school board members holding their own town hall style meetings at school sites. District 4 board member Steve Zimmer recently sent a flyer to principals, highlighting three “conversations” he plans to hold.

LAUSD’s regional Education Service Centers are planning stakeholder meetings throughout the month as well, according to the CLASS town hall calendar.

The district must submit its Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) to the state in July, outlining its efforts to ensure community input on how to best use the new education dollars.

Previous Posts: The right balance; LA Unified is seeking 47 parents to make spending recommendations; LA Unified asking community for ideas on state spending plan