LAGUNA BEACH : City, Schools Form Survival Scenarios to Deal With County’s Bankruptcy

City and school leaders will give separate reports tonight about the effect Orange County’s financial crisis may have on Laguna Beach.

Supt. Paul M. Possemato said Monday that the district’s report will outline cost-saving measures it may have to take to keep schools operating.

City Manager Kenneth C. Frank said his report to the City Council will not be complete until just before the meeting.

Without knowing exactly what steps the county will take next, the Laguna Beach Unified School District is developing survival scenarios. The goal is to devise a cash-flow plan to keep schools operating through June.

While not offering details, Possemato said expenses may have to be “markedly reduced in order to reach graduation day.”

“It would mean the end of supplies and all other types of major expenditures,” he said. Possemato said he expects the district to continue to meet payroll.

The district has already stopped work on the reconstruction of Thurston Middle School classes damaged during the 1993 firestorm. Possemato said a project to upgrade the Community Learning Center, an alternative school site on the Top of the World Elementary School campus, will likely be halted.

The school board meets at 6 p.m., but the first hour has been set aside to address parents’ concerns about a microwave tower at El Morro Elementary School.

The council meets at 505 Forest Ave. at 7 p.m., an hour later than usual.