LOS ALAMITOS : Trustees OK Budget With Spending Cut

Still held hostage by the state’s financial crisis, Los Alamitos Unified School District trustees adopted a tentative 1992-93 budget that reflects a drop of about 6% in spending.

Trustees approved the $38-million budget Monday night, realizing the figures could still change as the state deals with its ballooning, $11-billion deficit.

District officials cut about $1.3 million while preparing the budget but expect further reductions in state revenue to force the use of about $1 million from reserves over the next year.

“We do have serious problems,” Business Manager Ronald Murrey warned the school board.

Funds received from the state--the district’s major income source--are expected to drop by about $1.5 million. The district must also pay $372,000 to the Public Employees Retirement System, a payment the state waived last year.

A handful of classroom aides and part-time maintenance and gardening positions were cut, and trustees recently raised student bus fees by an average of 80% to cover the transportation costs.

But there is some fiscal good news. The district expects enrollment to increase by about 200 students in the coming school year, meaning more revenue from the state. The reopening of Lee Elementary School in the fall is expected to provide about $400,000 to go toward the $2-million deficit.

Over the past four years, the district has cut spending by $4 million, increased class size and reduced support staff. Voter approval of Measure K in 1990 helped the district by providing assessment district money to pay for building improvements and equipment.