Norwalk : School Budget Cuts Studied
The Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District is studying ways to delay projects and make budget cuts in order to offset a $1.6-million deficit by the end of June.
The school board received the bad news last week when Supt. Bruce C. Newlin announced that the district’s projected enrollment figures were too high by almost 400 students, which amounts to a loss of $800,000. Newlin told board members: “The fiscal news is not good. Don’t expect it to get any better.”
The district went into the budget year with an $800,000 deficit to pay for one-time expenditures, such as the opening of Walnut School, said Howard L. Rainey, director of business services. Rainey said district officials are looking at major capital improvement projects and other programs that could be delayed until next year. He said the district hopes to shave at least $800,000 in spending costs this year. Otherwise, he said, the district may have to dip into its $3.1-million reserve.
“We’re going to try and do without spending for awhile,” Rainey said.
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