IRVINE

The city might pick up the tab for a chief financial officer to help guide the cash-strapped Irvine Unified School District, an offer that had at least some district trustees worried about relinquishing control. The new officer’s payroll would be covered for one year under the plan.

Councilman Mike Ward proposed the unusual move at a meeting of the Excellence in Irvine Committee, which includes representatives from the district, the city and local businesses. Ward said he would suggest the action at the Jan. 25 council meeting.

Faced with at least $4 million in budget cuts, which could include the layoff of 100 teachers, district trustees decided to put another parcel tax on the April 11 ballot after an earlier attempt failed last November.

But the $3 million the tax measure would bring in would only buy time and not solve the long-term financial problems, the report said. That can only be eradicated through structural change.