OXNARD : District Brings Back Panel to Cut Budget

In a move designed to head off a projected budget crisis, the Oxnard Elementary School District board on Wednesday reactivated the district’s budget advisory committee, which has the job of cutting the proposed 1991-92 budget by about $2 million.

“There has to be a decision made in February relating to the possibility of extending some layoff notices to staff,” Supt. Norman Brekke said.

“Major decisions must be made about the 1991-92 school year. We don’t have the luxury of a lot of planning time between now and the final budget.”

District officials would not specify which staff members might face layoffs or how many layoffs are expected. They stressed that balancing the budget be done through a combination of layoffs in administrative, teacher and clerical positions, programs and services.

The committee, which comprises teachers, administrators, PTA and community members, is scheduled to report its initial progress to the board in February, with additional reports and recommendations to be submitted to the board before deadlines for budget development.

State law requires that layoff notices be distributed by March 1 for principals and by March 15 for other certificated personnel, giving 60 days notice. However, the board could make personnel decisions as late as July 1 if the state is notified that the district is contemplating layoffs.

A shortfall in lottery funds and cuts in education funding made by Gov. George Deukmejian have caused a lack of funds in the 17-school district, which has more than 12,000 children enrolled in a year-around program.

Ardyce Driskill, assistant superintendent for business and fiscal services, said that although the district needs to cut $1.6 million from its budget, an additional $400,000 must be put into district reserves.

“The message is that this preliminary look-see is built on the basis that we will not be receiving any new funding from the state,” Driskill said. “This could change with the new governor and if the economy changes . . . but, there is currently a need for the school district to go through this process. We cannot spend more than we take in.”