BUSD hoping for additional money
Molly Shore
School district officials say it’s too soon to get excited about
money earmarked for the district as a result of this week’s budget
compromise.
Gov. Gray Davis is expected to sign the nearly $100-billion
spending plan today.
When the Assembly approved the 2003-04 budget Tuesday, it also
approved SB 1046, a bill that adds $50 million for distribution to
school districts around the state.
“It’s all part of equalization,” said Steve Bradley, the school
district’s assistant superintendent of business services. “However,
there’s no guarantee that the district will get the money.”
Until he sees the formula included in the bill, Bradley said he is
not counting on the additional $173,642 that Assemblyman Dario
Frommer (D-Burbank) said is designated for the district.
“Right now, as far as Burbank is concerned, we’re basing our
assumptions on what we did the [school district] budget on,” Bradley
said.
The trailer bill, which Assembly members wrote to equalize school
district revenues, must be passed by the Senate on Aug. 18 and signed
into law by Davis, said Teri Burns, deputy superintendent for
government affairs with the state Department of Education.
“Not all school districts will get money,” Burns said. “The money
will go to those [districts] with a below-average revenue limit
payment.”
School board member Paul Krekorian cautioned that the $50 million
is not “new” money, but money taken for restricted programs
statewide, such as math and reading professional development,
education technology and principal training.
“This does create a benefit for [Burbank Unified] because the
equalization funding would be unrestricted general fund money, rather
than restricted categorical fund money,” Krekorian said.
If the funds are forthcoming, Krekorian said he would like to use
the money to minimize the effect of some of the district’s personnel
layoffs.
On Friday, the district sent layoff notices to 19 classified
employees. Layoffs would take effect on Aug. 31, Personnel Services
Director Nancy Gascich said.
Last month, the school board authorized the reduction in
classified positions to help balance the district’s 2003-04 budget.
Board member Ted Bunch proposed using the money earmarked for the
district to reinstate maintenance and operations personnel.