District Funding

California public school funding is incredibly complex. 

The State has a system called the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) that provides the majority of state funding to school districts.

The LCFF allocates funds based on two main factors--the number of students, enrollment, and their demographic characteristics, such as English learners (ELs), students from low-income families (economically disadvantaged), and foster youth. These three student categories are known as unduplicated students. 

In regards to enrollment, California’s LCFF allocates a set amount of funds per each student enrolled and ADA (Average Daily Attendance). For example, $10,000 per student. 

Funding allocations are also based on unduplicated students. For example, an additional $2,000 per unduplicated student may be provided to a school district. 

Providing additional resources, which are called supplemental and concentration grants, to support these students is intended to address the achievement gap and ensure that all students have equitable access to educational opportunities. Therefore, identifying and supporting unduplicated students is a critical aspect of California education funding.

RCSD is a community funded district, previously referred to as "Basic Aid", meaning that it relies primarily on local property taxes to fund its operations, rather than receiving significant funding from the State. 

The State uses the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) to determine annual allocations for school districts. First, local property taxes are considered, and if they fall short of the LCFF funding target, the State supplements the difference to meet the district’s funding allocation. These school districts are called LCFF funded districts. 

In the case of RCSD, a community-funded district, also known as a basic-aid district, it receives most of its funding from local property taxes because local property tax revenues exceed the State’s guaranteed funding under the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) calculation.

Community-funded districts are allowed to retain all of their allotted property tax revenue, and State contributions to a community-funded district’s budget are minimal.

Property taxes, which are paid by residents and businesses within the boundaries of the school district, form a portion of RCSD’s funding. These taxes are collected by San Mateo County and then distributed to the school district.

So why doesn't RCSD have the same level of funding as its neighboring districts? Property tax is based on assessed, not market values. The vast majority of homes in the RCSD attendance zone were purchased when property values were much lower and have lower assessed values than homes that have been purchased in recent years. 

A portion of the property taxes must be allocated to the three Independent charter schools.

RCSD also receives some funding from the federal government. This funding is distributed to the district in the following ways:

Title I:

Title I funding is a federal program in the United States aimed at providing financial assistance to public schools with high numbers of students from low-income families. The program is part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), originally passed in 1965 and periodically reauthorized by Congress.

Title I funding is intended to help ensure that all students have access to a high-quality education and to address the achievement gap between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. 

Schools receiving Title I funds typically use the funds to implement programs and interventions aimed at improving academic achievement and supporting the needs of economically disadvantaged students. This can include hiring additional teachers or support staff, providing professional development for educators, offering supplemental instruction or tutoring, purchasing educational resources and materials, and implementing strategies to engage parents and families in their children’s education.

Title III:

Title III funding is a federal program in the United States that provides financial assistance to support English language acquisition and academic achievement for English learners (ELs). The program is part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), originally passed in 1965 and periodically reauthorized by Congress.

Title III funding aims to help schools and school districts develop and enhance programs and services specifically designed to meet the needs of English learners. These funds support various activities and initiatives to improve English language proficiency, academic achievement, and overall educational outcomes for EL students.

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act):

IDEA provides federal funding to assist states and school districts in meeting the educational needs of students with disabilities. This funding supports the implementation of special education services and related supports outlined in students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

Local communities support public schools with additional revenue such as donations, parcel taxes, and bond programs to support additional educational programs, services, and infrastructure improvements that may not be covered by existing funding sources.

This additional revenue is used to enhance educational opportunities for students, including art and music programs, extracurricular activities, technology upgrades, and other enriching experiences that contribute to a well-rounded education.

By supporting schools with additional revenue, local communities help maintain or improve the quality of education provided, which can have positive effects on property values and overall community well-being.

Donations, parcel taxes, and bond programs allow communities to address specific needs or priorities within their school district. For example, funds may be used to reduce class sizes, improve school facilities, provide professional development for teachers, or support enrichment programs. 

In RCSD, its community provides local revenue in the form of:

On November 8, 2016, voters approved the Measure U Educational Parcel Tax assessment of $85 per parcel per year, which provides approximately $1.9 million per year in local education funding. RCSD’s 12 schools share $1.6 million and $300,000 is distributed to the independent charter schools.

On November 8, 2022, voters approved Measure S, a school improvement bond measure that will generate approximately $298 million to complete projects such as repairing and upgrading science, technology, engineering, arts and math classrooms and labs; bringing all schools up to the same learning and safety standards; providing dedicated classrooms for music, art and performing arts electives; and updating air conditioning, heating and filtration systems and providing sustainable emergency backups.

Measure S can only be used on facility improvements, a much needed effort in RCSD considering most schools are 50 years old and three are more than 80 years old.