Emery USD’s LCAP Approval: Critical Plan Faces Scrutiny Amid Transparency Concerns
The Emery Unified School District Board of Trustees is set to vote on the approval of their Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) at their June 28th meeting, marking the culmination of a months-long development process. This crucial document will guide district priorities, resource allocation, and educational strategies for the next three years, yet questions about transparency and public access to district proceedings loom large over the process.
What Is the LCAP and Why It Matters
The LCAP represents the district’s roadmap for supporting student achievement, particularly for high-needs populations. Following its first reading on June 11, 2025, the final approval vote will establish how Emery USD plans to:
- Allocate resources to address state and local educational priorities
- Support positive student outcomes through targeted programs and services
- Provide equitable access to educational opportunities for all students
- Demonstrate accountability to the community for educational results
Dr. Mila Kell, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, has been leading the presentation of the plan, which was developed with input from various educational partners including parents, teachers, and community members.
Key Components of Emery’s LCAP
Based on previous district documentation and the June 11th first reading, Emery’s LCAP focuses on:
- Providing equitable access to educational opportunities for economic, political, and social empowerment
- Developing 21st century skills including collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity
- Integrating innovative technology to facilitate global awareness and communication
- Creating a comprehensive multi-use city-school campus with a respectful environment
The plan details specific goals, metrics for measuring success, and expenditures tied to each priority area.
A Pattern of Transparency Issues
While the LCAP approval process includes mandated public hearings and community input opportunities, a concerning pattern has emerged regarding the district’s overall transparency. Most notably, Emery USD appears to have failed to publicly post board meeting minutes since January 2023—a significant lapse in public accountability spanning over two years.
This gap in public record means that community members have limited ability to:
- Track board decisions and discussions
- Verify how community input has been incorporated into district plans
- Hold elected trustees accountable for their positions and votes
- Understand the context and development of major initiatives like the LCAP
The district’s website does include a section for the Board of Education, but searching for meeting minutes from 2023-2024 yields no results, creating a significant obstacle for stakeholders attempting to follow district governance.
The Importance of Meeting Minutes
Meeting minutes serve as the official record of board proceedings and decisions. Their absence represents more than a clerical oversight—it constitutes a fundamental breakdown in public accountability. California’s Brown Act and principles of good governance require transparency in public agency decision-making, with meeting minutes being a cornerstone of that transparency.
Without accessible minutes, the public has limited means to understand:
- How the LCAP was developed over time
- What concerns were raised during its development
- How board members responded to community input
- What alternatives were considered before arriving at the final plan
Community Call to Action
As the Board prepares to approve the LCAP on June 28th, community members are encouraged to:
- Attend the meeting in person or via Zoom (Meeting ID: 813 796 806, Passcode: 229063)
- Review the LCAP documents available on the district website
- Provide public comment on both the LCAP and the district’s transparency practices
- Request that the district prioritize posting all missing meeting minutes from January 2023 to present
- Ask for a formal explanation regarding the extended absence of public records
Looking Forward
The LCAP approval represents an opportunity not just to establish educational priorities but to reset expectations for district transparency. As Emery USD finalizes this critical plan, the community deserves both a clear vision for student success and the assurance that district governance will be conducted in the open, with complete and timely access to public records.
The June 28th meeting begins at 6:00 PM, with public comment opportunities available to all community members who wish to speak.
Sources: 06.28 Regular Meeting of the Emery USD Board of Trustees.pdf, 06.11 Regular Meeting of the Emery USD Board of Trustees.pdf, 05.14 Regular Meeting of the Emery USD Board of Trustees.pdf
