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SDLA Compliance Resource

Adopt the 2026–27 School-District Budget After the LCAP

A public-hearing and governing-board control that aligns the adopted financial plan with the already adopted LCAP and the expenditures needed to implement it.

  • Budget
  • LCAP
  • Governing Board
Date(s)On or before July 1, 2026; the board may not adopt the budget before adopting the applicable LCAP
Applies toCalifornia school districts; charter and county-office budget procedures have separate provisions

In Plain Language: Complete the required public inspection, notice, and hearing process; adopt the applicable LCAP first; then adopt the state-format budget with the expenditures needed to implement the LCAP and multiyear obligations.

Why this matters

The LCAP describes promised actions and services; the budget supplies the authority and resources to carry them out. Sequential adoption prevents a financial plan from silently contradicting the public accountability plan.

Primary ownership

Primary owner: chief business official with superintendent. Handoff partners: LCAP lead, governing board/clerk, fiscal staff, program owners, county fiscal oversight, communications, and records.

Operational workflow

  1. 1. Reconcile the final proposed LCAP actions, services, contributing expenditures, staffing, and funding sources to the budget and multiyear projections.
  2. 2. Complete public-inspection, publication/website, agenda, and hearing requirements using the prescribed budget format.
  3. 3. Present the LCAP action first and record its adoption.
  4. 4. Present and adopt the aligned budget by July 1; capture motions, votes, attachments, and any board direction.
  5. 5. Open the separate county filing control and prepare for county review and 45-day state-budget revisions.

Implementation pathway

LCAP/budget reconcile
Public access/hearing
Adopt LCAP
Adopt budget
File and respond

Evidence to retain

  • Reconciliation crosswalk
  • Public notice/inspection evidence
  • Agenda and board minutes
  • Adopted budget/supporting data
  • Filing and county-response package

Official guidance and help

Source review completed August 30, 2026. Verify current federal and California requirements, CDE/FCC guidance, local policy, public-meeting procedures, records, and final submitted or adopted state before acting.