HUNTINGTON BEACH : School District May Slash 39 Positions

The Huntington Beach Union High School District’s superintendent this week recommended $2.6 million in spending cuts that would eliminate 28 teaching positions, lay off 11 other employees and close a swimming pool.

After warning for months that deep cuts are unavoidable, Supt. Lawrence Kemper unveiled his budget reduction proposals at Tuesday’s school board meeting. The district, which has slashed nearly $12 million from its budget during the past five years because of plummeting enrollment, now must reduce spending further to offset current and anticipated state funding rollbacks, said David Hagan, assistant superintendent for business.

The Board of Trustees will discuss Kemper’s proposals during public hearings scheduled for April 9 and April 23. Following the second hearing, the board is expected to approve a final spending reduction plan. The district’s annual budget is about $70 million.

Nearly one-fourth of the recommended savings--about $520,000--would come from increasing average class sizes from 28.5 to 29 students per class, reducing physical education periods and encouraging juniors and seniors to enroll in no more than five class periods each semester. Also, an innovative district program that reduced class sizes for English and social studies courses would be relaxed, and activities programs would be reorganized so that teachers who double as activity directors would teach full five-period days.

Most of the estimated 28 teaching positions that would be lost through the changes could be cut through attrition, although some layoffs may be necessary, officials said.

The proposals also would cut three psychologists, three nurses and five office workers. Remaining psychologists and nurses would serve two schools instead of one site each.

Additionally, Huntington Beach High School’s swimming pool would be closed, saving a projected $71,150 per year in maintenance and operating costs. That school’s water-sports programs would continue, but would be transferred to another site, Hagan said.

Some programs, however, would be eliminated. Sophomore football, freshman and sophomore baseball and co-ed badminton are proposed to be cut from the six schools with athletic programs, trimming another $48,600.

Among other cuts, an estimated $400,000 would be saved by cutting 10% of the district’s spending on books, supplies, equipment, conferences, travel and other non-personnel expenses.

Hagan said that district budget cuts “are now getting to the heart of some very important functions of schools.”