Deby Candelaria

This document is a semi-annual update to the Lancaster School District's Facilities Implementation Program, which outlines a strategic roadmap for facility improvements from 2023 to 2033. The program prioritizes implementing 21st Century Learning Environments, expanding student and parent choice, and addressing the State-mandated expansion of the Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) program. It details proposed improvements across school sites with estimated costs and a phased schedule, supported by funding from State grants, developer fees, and General Obligation bonds. The overarching vision is to provide safe, inclusive learning spaces that foster academic growth, engagement, safety, equity, and fiscal stewardship.

The 2025-26 Local Control and Accountability Plan for Lancaster School District outlines the district's strategic direction and resource allocation to enhance student success. It focuses on three broad goals: Academics, Equitable Learning Practices and Positive Learning Environments, and Safe and Supportive Environments. The plan aims to foster student academic growth, create inclusive and supportive school cultures, and ensure safe and operationally efficient facilities, particularly for high-needs students, by detailing strategies, evaluating past performance, and integrating extensive stakeholder feedback for continuous improvement.

The meeting included a recognition of the inclusion journey for students with disabilities, detailing a strategic shift towards inclusive practices since 2018-2019, showing significant increases in time spent in general education and improved academic outcomes in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Miller School staff and students presented on the magic of the K8 experience, focusing on stability, continuity, enhanced leadership opportunities, and improved school climate, as well as plans to build an art and media academy with a media arts component transitioning to high school. The School Counseling Program highlights were presented, detailing the professional qualifications of the counselors, the 426:1 student-to-counselor ratio, targeted support for foster youth, and the program's intentional, data-driven framework based on ASCA standards, covering Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 support across academic, career, and social-emotional development pillars. Enrollment figures were also briefly reported.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and recognized winners of the Red Ribbon Art Week contest, including announcements of district and grand prize winners whose artwork will be displayed on a billboard. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to recognizing graduating residents of the Boundless Educator Teacher Residency Program (formerly the Black Educator Teacher Residency Program), including five residents completing the program and their mentor teachers. Informational items included an enrollment report showing a total of 13,947 students, a gain of 10 students from the previous reporting period, with a breakdown of homeless, fostered, and non-publicly connected students. A presentation on the California Dashboard highlighted tremendous growth, noting that for the first time since 2017, the district achieved yellow status in language arts, and significant improvements were shown in suspension rates (moving from red to yellow) and math performance (moving from red to orange). Efforts to improve metrics were detailed, including focused attendance teams, restorative practices to address behavior, and the implementation of new curriculum frameworks for English learners and math.

This School Accountability Report Card for John and Jacquelyn Miller Elementary School outlines the institution's commitment to providing an academically enriching, inclusive environment and fostering strong relationships, community connection, academic excellence, and personal growth for all students. The school focuses on improving student outcomes through data-driven instruction, targeted interventions, and continuous progress monitoring. It aims to create a positive learning environment with effective support systems for student well-being and engagement.