School Funding

The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) is a new school funding law. School districts have more control over their budgets and will need to seek parents' and community members' feedback on how funds will be spent. 

LCFF changes the way the state provides money to school districts. It determines the minimum funding level a district requires based on student characteristics and needs. If local property taxes are not enough to meet the minimum funding level, the State apportions funds through the LCFF so that the district reaches that level. The LCFF has three components: base, supplemental, and concentration funding.

• Base Grant - School districts will receive a base amount of money for every student, adjusted by grade level.
• Supplemental Grant - Supplemental grants are given to school districts to improve or increase services for low-income students, English language learners, and foster youth.
• Concentration Grant - If a district has more than 55% high-needs students, they will receive additional money through a concentration grant.

Basic Aid

Basic aid is a term used for those districts whose local property taxes exceed the LCFF minimum funding level. When a district’s funding through property taxes does not meet the required funding level, the State provides the remaining necessary funding through the LCFF. When a district’s funding through property taxes meets the required funding level, the district keeps any excess funds and does not receive additional state apportionment under the formula.

Resources

California State PTA

California Department of Education