BUSD strives to align all work of the District through our Vision, Mission, Equity Statement, Strategic Plan-LCAP and site level plans. By doing this important alignment we ensure that our work is intentional and focused. All the work of the District is grounded in equity, social-emotional learning and belonging, and high quality academic instruction and student learning.
Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP)
On July 1, 2013, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), the most comprehensive reform to California’s school funding system in 40 years. h bi-partisan support as part of the 2013-14 California State Budget. As part of the shift to the LCFF, each district is required to develop and implement an accountability plan. The Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) also serves as Benicia’s Strategic Plan.
Benicia Unified School District is committed to developing a Local Control Accountability Plan to ensure we meet the educational goals of the district and are aligned to the state priorities. Each year there are opportunities for our educational partners to engage in systems of feedback (i.e. surveys, forums, etc.) to share input on what the district should prioritize as the most important action steps to meet the needs of all students.
School Accountability Report Card (SARC)
California public & nonpublic, nonsectarian schools annually provide information to the community to allow public comparison of schools for student achievement, environment, resources & demographics. State law requires that the SARC contain all of the following:
- Demographic data
- School safety and climate for learning information
- Academic data
- School completion rates
- Class sizes
- Teacher and staff information
- Curriculum and instruction descriptions
- Post-secondary preparation information
- Fiscal and expenditure data
Hard copies are available in each school's main office.
School Plans for Student Achievement (SPSA)
The purpose of the School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) is to create a cycle of continuous improvement of student performance, and to ensure that all students succeed in reaching academic standards set by the State Board of Education. Each school creates a SPSA yearly to help identify priorities for the school. All SPSA plans are consistent in format across the district, but reflect unique elements of each site. The goals and actions are based on feedback, student performance and identified need and are developed jointly with staff and Site Councils. Each school’s SPSA is in alignment with the District LCAP.
ESSER III
COVID-19 federal funding for LEAs from American Rescue Plan Act (ARP Act) Elementary and Secondary School Relief (ESSER III) Fund. This funding will provide local educational agencies (LEAs) with emergency relief funds to address the impact COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the nation.
Safe Return to School
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) published Interim Final Requirements (IFR) on April 22, 2021 requiring Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) receiving ESSER III funds to submit an LEA Plan for the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services
Expanded Learning Opportunity Program
BUSD is fortunate to have a robust Expanded Learning Opportunity Program (ELOP) at each elementary school and the middle school. All students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, are English learners or are unsheltered youth are invited to participate for free. ELOP occurs each day after school and during some non-school days. We partner with our Childcare program, community partners and teaching staff to offer interest-based programs, high dose tutoring and social-emotional learning.
Discretionary Arts, Music and Instructional Materials
The Discretionary Arts, Music and Instructional Materials Block Grant secures one-time funding for local educational agencies to obtain standards-aligned professional development and instructional materials in specified areas, improve school culture, develop diverse and culturally relevant book collections, and other specified uses. Funding must be encumbered by the 2025-26 school year. The Block Grant requires approval at a regularly scheduled board meeting.
| School Board Approved: 5.25.23 | |||||
| Category | Allowable Uses | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | Total Expenditure |
| 1 | Instructional Materials/Supports: Data & Assessment Programs, Support for Band & Technology | 217,000.00 | 55,000.00 | 0 | |
| 2 | Instruction in Content Areas: Literacy Support & Teacher PD | 152,000.00 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | Improving School Climate: Wellness Centers, Mental Health Coordinator | 424,000.00 | 256,000.00 | 0 | |
| 4 | Diversifying Library Collections | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | Operational Costs: STEAM and Student Mentorship Programs | 125,000.00 | 115,000.00 | 0 | |
| 6 | COVID-related Costs | 0 | 0 | ||
| Totals | 918,000.00 | 426,000.00 | 0 | 1,344,000.00 |