The Turlock Unified School District is currently seeking input on the focus of initiatives for the 2016-2017 Local Control Accountability Plan.

The Local Control Accountability Plan is mandated by the Local Control Funding Formula, which allocates more spending control to the local districts. The LCAP ensures districts across the state are meeting their own unique needs and addressing priority areas for students.

An LCAP Community Forum was held Wednesday to engage parents and the community in discussions that share the focus of the initiatives and collect input. Although attendance at the forum was low, TUSD Superintendent Dana Trevethan encourages those who would still like to help decide where LCAP funds are allocated to fill out the stakeholder survey.

“Our hope is that many have come to realize their input on these surveys matter and much of it has become a part of TUSD’s current and future LCAPs,” said Trevethan.

The stakeholder survey allows the parent, student, community or staff member to suggest student services that TUSD should provide, restrictive barriers that need to be fixed, ways in which communication between TUSD and the community can be improved and how TUSD can better prepare students for college and the workforce.

“Community feedback is crucial,” said Trevethan. “Upon leaving high school, our students will enter college, the workforce or the military, and we want to have them prepared for all so that their choices are many.”

There are currently six initiatives that the LCAP focuses on: increased opportunity with access; cultural proficiency aligned to core values; support and resources for students, staff and parents; guaranteed and viable resources and experiences; college/career ready preparation; and safe, secure and well-maintained schools.

Last year’s collected input led to the offering of Stanislaus State courses at both Pitman and Turlock high schools. The program is currently in its second year and was implemented at Roselawn Continuation School this past semester. Tuition and material fees are covered for the courses which are taught by university professors, allowing students to establish a Stanislaus State transcript during their junior or senior years of high school.

As of May of last year, TUSD had collected around 400 stakeholder surveys. They are currently on pace to significantly exceed that number with over 1,200 surveys collected as of this week.

To fill out a survey, visit the LCAP page on TUSD’s website, turlock.k12.ca.us.