SIMI VALLEY : Schools Plan to Use Reserves for Budget

Trying to avert layoffs and cutbacks, Simi Valley school officials said Thursday that they are recommending that $4.6 million in reserve funds be used to balance the district’s upcoming $75.2-million budget.

The Simi Valley Unified School District plans to take in $70.6 million during the 1992-93 school year, but plans to spend $75.2 million. After covering the deficit, the district would have $6.5 million remaining in its reserves, officials said. The budget anticipates no cost-of-living increase from the state and only $78 per child in lottery funds.

Although the budget does not call for layoffs or program cutbacks, school officials said they may need to make cuts later if the state reduces the amount of money that the district is expecting.

“It isn’t a good direction to be moving in, but we’re very fortunate to have a balanced budget for next year,” Deputy Supt. Mary Beth Wolford said.

The district is compiling a list of employees who would meet as a budget review committee should any reductions be required. The district is required to adopt its budget by July 1, but has 45 days to make revisions after the state budget is finalized later this summer.

The budget does not include money for salary increases, although the district is in the middle of negotiations with teachers, janitors and food workers. Any raises would have to come from cuts or reserves, Wolford said.

School board members are scheduled June 16 to vote on the budget that, once approved, will be sent to the Ventura County superintendent of schools for approval by Aug. 15.