LongBeachReport.com | LBReport.com | Hear It On-Demand: LB School Board Special Meeting re Budget; Mgm't Prepares Two Scenarios: Cuts If Voters Extend Taxes, Worse Cuts If They Don't

(Jan. 26, 2011) -- LBReport.com provides on-demand access below to extended portions of the Jan. 25 special meeting of the LBUSD Board of Education at which management presented two scenarios:

1. Some cuts currently estimated at roughly $53 million (out of approx. $700 million general fund) over two years if voters statewide approve tax extension ballot measures not yet put on the ballot
OR

2. Cutting roughly $155 million over two years if voters don't approve the tax extensions in a June special election.

LBUSD cablecast

To hear extended portions of the School Board's Jan. 25 special meeting on-demand, click here. (MP3/42MB, audio picks up during LBUSD mgm't power point presentation; running time: 52:19).

During the Jan. 25 special meeting, called as an informational session (with no Board voted action taken immediately), LBUSD management outlined some of its proposed budget reductions, which include larger classs, closing some schools (Burroughs and Buffum, proposed) and more teacher and staff layoffs.

LBUSD Superintendent Chris Steinhauser said Board action is required by mid February to meet deadlines for giving layoff notices in March to credentialed employees. (Certificated employees require a shorter layoff notice: 45 days).

LBUSD cablecast

LBUSD Chief Business & Financial Officer Kim Stallings said the District's deficits stem in large part from a continuing weak economy, coupled with the end of one-time federal funds. He noted that putting tax extension measures on a June special election ballot requires a 2/3 majority in the state legislature plus 50%+1 approval by statewide voters, both uncertain as of today.

LBUSD cablecast

Mr. Stallings added that while Governor Brown's budget proposal to phase out of local Redevelopment Agencies and use state funds saved to maintain state school funding at or near current levels, the state legislature's response is uncertain. [Unstated: LB City Hall, and other City Halls via their lobbying arm the "League of CA Cities," strongly oppose the Governor's proposed phase-out of Redevelopment.]

Superintendent Steinhauser said LBUSD management is preparing for the worst while hoping for the best. He said management's proposed cuts are subject to continuing revision as events play out in Sacramento. Superintendent Steinhauser said it's possible that some school employees who'll receive layoff notices may ultimately have those notices rescinded and continue on for another year, depending on what the state legislature does in the coming weeks...and what voters do in June. LBUSD's new budget year begins July 1.

Among LBUSD management's proposed budget reductions (on which a School Board majority will have the final say, with some votes expected by mid-February 2011):

Ending school bus service (special ed students excepted)
Larger class sizes: 30 students per teacher in K-3rd classes, two more students in grades 6-12
Cuts in assistant principals (25%), music teachers, librarians, nurses, counselors and social workers
Central office cuts
Cuts in student programs including Poly High's PACE program and Millikan High's QUEST

LBUSD has previously stated (Jan. 20) on its website:

The Long Beach Unified School District cannot count on a successful statewide election and must plan for the worst, as evidenced by this week’s proposed closure of Burroughs and Buffum elementary schools. The school district remains in budget-cutting mode for the foreseeable future, even though it as already cut more than $170 million over the past three years through hiring freezes, unpaid furlough days, layoffs and many other reductions.

The School Board is scheduled to meet again next week (Feb. 1) at which time it may again discuss budget matters.

In addition to LBReport.com's on-demand audio above, the Jan. 25 School Board meeting can be viewed for the next week by those who have Charter cable (Channel 96 in LB/Signal Hill, Channel 35 in Lakewood) or FIOS (Channel 47) at noon and midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

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