CALABASAS : School District Cuts Not Expected

For the first time in five years, the Las Virgenes Unified School District expects to make no budget cuts next fiscal year, stopping a trend of increasing class sizes and offering fewer special programs.

“We think we’ve bottomed out, meaning we probably won’t have to cut anything further,” said Assistant Supt. Donald Zimring. “We’re hoping soon to be operating with a balanced budget.”

The prestigious school district, which serves more than 10,000 students from the mostly affluent towns between the city of Los Angeles and the Ventura County line, was forced to raise class-size limits last year as a result of increasing costs and decreasing revenues from the state.

The average class size for Calabasas and Agoura high schools and local middle schools rose from 36 to about 40 students.

The district also cut several elementary school programs to help deal with a $450,000 shortfall in its $42-million budget, which capped four straight years of revenue losses.

This year’s funding picture was improved last fall, when 150 more students than expected enrolled. The district receives funding from the state based on the number of students it serves.

In an effort to decrease class sizes next year, the school board this spring set up a special fund to hire more teachers. Donations are being solicited from individuals, corporations and others, and $12,000 has been collected so far.