Public Comments On School District Spending

Tuesday’s school board meeting marked the last chance this year for the public to weigh in on how the district will spend its money. As part of the new funding model, the Local Control Accountability Plan will detail to the state exactly how the district will use allotted funds. Speakers expressed the need for better assistance for English Language Learners and low-income families. Many talked about visual and arts programs, which will “just be a matter of money,” said Superintendent David Cash after dozens of commenters spoke. One teacher took to the podium to argue money could be saved if teachers weren’t pulled out of school for conferences to create Common Core State Standards assessments, as teachers on special assignment were already released from the classroom for that purpose. The plan will be finalized at the second board meeting in June.