School Board OKs Key Budget Cuts

Cuts in a computer literacy program, “combat pay” for inner-city administrators and staff cars were approved Wednesday by the Los Angeles Board of Education, which faces at least $44 million in budget reductions in order to pay for employee raises.

The board voted to reduce by 50% the district’s share of a computer literacy program, which saves $404,000 next year. It also agreed to take away district-paid cars from 41 administrators, including division heads and assistant and associate superintendents, which had cost $124,701.

Another reduction will affect administrators in inner-city areas. The board voted to reduce by 25% the salary differential those administrators receive because of the location of their schools, commonly called “combat pay.” The savings will amount to $350,000 a year.

“These cuts are extremely painful for the people making them,” said board member Julie Korenstein. “We leave each day feeling cut to the bone personally.”

Most of the $42 million in cuts approved so far have been supported by Korenstein, Jackie Goldberg, Warren Furutani and board President Roberta Weintraub, the four board members who voted in favor of a 24%, three-year salary increase teachers won after a strike in May.

Alan Gershman, Leticia Quezada and Rita Walters have opposed most of the cuts.