FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Board Tentatively Saves Music Program

The Board of Trustees has tentatively decided to spare the school district’s instrumental music program and make smaller cuts in library services than originally planned as it seeks to balance its fiscal 1994-95 budget.

Meeting in a special session Thursday, the school board gave preliminary approval to a plan to fund a before- and after-school instrumental music program for fourth- and fifth-graders. The trustees will reach into district reserves for the estimated $30,000 cost of the program, officials said.

The music program, currently taught during school hours, was the target of possible cuts that would have saved the district $114,000.

Because of declining revenue and enrollment, the district faces a projected $250,000 shortfall in its proposed $24-million 1994-95 budget.

The trustees also decided to restore part of the funding for the district’s library services program, which was targeted for drastic reductions. Instead of the 46% cutback originally envisioned, funding for the program will be reduced by 20%, under the trustees’ decision. The original cut would have drastically trimmed librarian hours at each of the 11 schools, but under the new proposal, librarians will work four hours a day.

The district will save $27,600, not the $66,000 it would have gained if the 46% cutback were enacted.

To make up the difference, trustees agreed to stop paying the district’s share of social security benefits for its temporary employees, resulting in an anticipated savings of $40,000.

Board of Trustees President Robert Sedlak said it is important not to drastically reduce library services because they affect “all the children.”

Both programs were among those headed for budget cuts before a board meeting last week when parents, teachers and staff made pleas to trustees to save them.

Trustees are expected to take final action on the proposed changes and adopt a budget at Thursday’s meeting.