Local News in Brief : Simi Council Votes $3.8 Million to Schools

The Simi Valley City Council on Monday approved an agreement to give an estimated $3.8 million in redevelopment funds over the next 30 years to the Simi Valley Unified School District.

The agreement will put a projected $36,500 into the district’s capital improvement fund this fiscal year and an estimated $104,000 by the 1988-89 fiscal year, said Jay Corey, deputy city manager.

The council voted unanimously in favor of the plan, which was approved by the school district earlier this month.

The agreement between the council and the board, tentatively reached three months ago, was reached with none of the rancor that plagued a similar plan in Thousand Oaks last year.

The plan will divert to the school district 5% of the tax increment funds collected from two redevelopment zones. The money can only be used on capital improvement projects approved by the council, sitting as redevelopment agency directors, and by the board.

Associate Supt. Harold Lipman said the district, which has a declining enrollment and does not need new buildings, likely will use the money for projects such as asphalt and site modifications.

City Councilman Greg Stratton said the funds would bring “real improvements” where needed. “It is an unfortunate situation that, as school budgets have been cut over the years, the physical plant is the last place they spend the money,” he said.