OJAI : Schools’ Budget OKd but Cuts Are Likely

The Ojai Unified School District board has adopted a balanced budget for the upcoming school year, but on Tuesday administrators cautioned that impending state cuts will almost certainly lead to future cuts.

As passed Monday night, the $14-million budget is not significantly different from last year’s budget, Assistant Supt. Leo Molitor said. There are no staffing cuts or layoffs, and the only major purchase eliminated was a $37,000 school bus.

“However, we told the school board that when the governor signs the budget, whenever that is, we are required by law to revise our budget,” Molitor said. “And we know there will be cuts coming down from Sacramento.”

In a worst-case scenario, the district could lose as much as $800,000, Molitor said, which would equal a cut of $225 to $250 per student.

District officials have hammered out most parts of a contingency plan to deal with projected revenue shortfalls, Molitor said. While declining to detail specific plans, he said money would probably be saved by cuts in programs as well as staffing.

“We are going to have to look at all areas of the budget,” Molitor said. “The board will also set up another budget study session for employees, parents and school principals.”