Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : 2 New Schools to Open Despite Deficit

The William S. Hart Union High School District opens two new schools this fall but faces a $2-million deficit for the 1994-95 school year, and that’s assuming teachers accept a plan to save $1 million by keeping class sizes larger than planned.

During a special meeting Wednesday when a $51.1-million budget was presented to the district’s board of trustees, William Maddigan, director of business and financial services, said the operating and starting costs for Valencia High School and La Mesa Junior High School have been estimated at $2.7 million.

In addition, Maddigan said revenue from student enrollment is likely to be less than expected, largely because of people moving away after the Northridge earthquake. Trustees expressed displeasure at the size of the deficit, but he said there is nothing additional to cut.

“I don’t think it’s very good, (but) the administration is not advocating any more cuts than what’s been proposed at this point,” Maddigan said.

The budget will be submitted to the board for approval June 8.

The original 1994-95 budget contained a $3.9-million deficit, but $850,000 in savings has been proposed by eliminating the purchase of a new bus, laying off one district employee, cutting the working hours at the new schools and making other cuts.

Maddigan said the toughest cut will be persuading teachers to extend an agreement placing two more students in each classroom, saving the district $1 million by not having to hire 24 teachers. The temporary agreement signed two years ago placed an average of 34 students in high school classes and 33 in junior high classes.

Supt. Walter Swanson said extra revenue may be sought by starting a community-based Medicaid program, allowing the district to receive federal funds for health care services it already provides. In addition, a bond of up to $24 million, which would cost a person with a $100,000 home an average of $42 a year, to pay for equipment and new facilities is being suggested to go before the voters this fall or next spring.