IRVINE
Council members adamantly denied claims that they would bail out the city’s financially ailing school district should voters reject a parcel tax Tuesday.
Opponents of the flat $95 parcel tax suggested at a public forum last week that council members would find the money to save the district’s enriched arts, music and science programs. Trustees also are set to lay off about 120 teachers as a result of a $4-million budget hole.
“I am confident that the city has the money to bail out the schools to the extent that they need it,” said Bruce Peotter, who will represent tax opponents at four more debates before the election.
But city leaders said Peotter was off base.
“I don’t want to get the city in the position of basically being the life-support system for our school district,” Councilman Larry Agran said.
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