Pasadena : State to Repay Schools for Integration Costs
The Pasadena Unified School District will receive $1.4 million from the state as repayment for the cost of maintaining a voluntary desegregation program during the 1983-84 school year.
The money is included in legislation authored by state Assemblyman John Vasconcellos (D-Santa Clara) and signed by the governor July 9. The bill reimburses several school districts for desegregation costs.
According to district business manager Peter Hagen, this is the first time Pasadena has received state funds to cover the cost of its desegregation efforts, which have been voluntary since 1980, when a federal court order forcing the district to integrate was lifted.
The legislation also provides for partial repayment of future costs. From now on, districts with voluntary programs will be entitled to reimbursement equal to 80% of their costs in the 1984-85 school year. The repayment will be increased annually with cost-of-living adjustments.
Hagen said the district spends about $1.4 million a year to run its voluntary desegregation program, which consists of magnet schools and busing some students to achieve racial balance.
Other districts with claims covered by the bill include Long Beach Unified School District, $5.2 million; Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, $229,983, and ABC Unified School District, $144,954.
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