IRVINE : School Board Vote on Budget Expected

The Irvine Unified School District Board of Education is likely to vote today on a $94-million budget plan that avoids major cuts in programs.

The board will take up the budget at an unusual 7:30 a.m. meeting that was scheduled after members failed to approve the proposal at last week’s regular meeting.

The 1993-94 fiscal year budget is about $3 million larger that last year’s, and Deputy Supt. Paul Reed said the increased expenditures are mostly caused by inflation and higher employee salaries.

State funding is expected to remain roughly at 1992-93 fiscal year levels, but because of the increased district costs “keeping us even is the same as cutting,” Reed said.

The budget calls for $1.2 million in cuts, most of which would come through reductions in future salary increases for teachers. The district and the Irvine teachers union agreed to reduced raises during contract negotiations earlier this year.

Additional cuts are proposed for the administrative and clerical staffs, where several vacant positions would remain unfilled.

Cuts are also recommended in school bus service, but it is unlikely that students who now use the buses will be seriously affected. Some elementary school arts classes might also face reductions, though Reed said the board may spare the program.