Sonya Lopez Mercado

This Local Control and Accountability Plan for Ventura Unified School District outlines the use of state, local, and federal funds, particularly the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), to achieve specific educational goals for the 2026-27 school year. The plan focuses on five key areas: improving student academic achievement while decreasing performance gaps, supporting positive student learning environments and mental health, engaging families as partners in education, improving early elementary literacy attainment, and increasing graduation rates for all students, with a special emphasis on high-needs student groups. It details actions, metrics, and expenditure plans to enhance outcomes and address disparities.

The meeting focused on the adoption of the agenda and the review of action items. The Board approved an amendment to the agenda regarding a change in terminology for a specific item. Additionally, the Board reviewed and approved a letter of support for a Trustee's application for the position of President-elect of the California School Board Association.

The Board of Education held a workshop facilitated by a consultant from the California School Board Association. The discussion focused on establishing strategic goals, fostering unity of purpose, clarifying roles and responsibilities, defining norms and protocols, and setting strategic priorities.

The Board conducted a special meeting which included the adoption of the agenda and a closed session focused on the performance evaluation of the Superintendent. Following the closed session, the Board reported that the Superintendent's evaluation for the 2024-25 school year was completed.

The board held a special meeting that included a closed session to discuss labor negotiations, a public employee performance evaluation, and existing litigation. The open session featured a training session on the Brown Act led by General Counsel and a comprehensive Budget Study Session for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The budget presentation outlined fixed contractual obligations, discretionary block grant allocations, and concerns regarding potential reductions in federal Title program funding.