LOS ANGELES : School Board Approves Preliminary Budget

The Los Angeles Board of Education unanimously approved a preliminary $4.2-billion budget Monday, leaving open whether $8.3 million in surplus funds will be used for employee salary increases or school reform programs.

Supt. Sid Thompson backed down from recommendations three weeks ago that called for the extra money to be used in part to bolster training programs for parents and LEARN reform in the schools. The move comes as the district is entering into sensitive labor talks with its influential employee unions.

Teachers union President Helen Bernstein called on the board to “take charge and make hard decisions” that will lead to teacher salary restorations. Thompson invited union leaders to offer suggestions on how the district can repay employees who took a 10% pay cut last year.

Several parent groups criticized the school board for failing to identify money in the preliminary budget for a new unit to serve as a liaison between district officials and parents. To address this concern, the board agreed to allocate an undetermined amount of money for a parent center when the budget is approved in late August.