HUNTINGTON BEACH : School Board OKs Deficit Spending

A revised budget for the Huntington Beach Union High School District foresees about $300,000 more in deficit spending than the original budget, passed in June.

The original budget predicted a $1.3-million deficit. The revised document, approved on a 4-1 vote by the school board last week, now forecasts about $1.6 million in red ink.

School board member Dirk Voss cast the only dissenting vote. He did not explain his vote during the meeting, but in an interview, he later said he opposes the proposed deficit spending.

“I also don’t think (the budget) offered us any options, such as privatizing of services,” Voss said. “I think money could have been saved, but we weren’t offered any options.”

The revised fiscal 1994-95 budget for the school system projects revenue of $76.4 million and expenditures of $78 million. Money to cover the deficit will come from the district’s $6-million reserve.

Assistant Supt. Patricia Koch said the increase in the predicted deficit is because of onetime expenses that include the upgrading of the district’s telephones.

There was no debate or public discussion by the school board on the revised budget. Also, no one in the audience spoke during the public hearing on the revised budget. Board members voted immediately after Koch’s brief remarks about the new document.

The school district governs all public high schools in Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley and Westminster.