GLENDALE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING PREVIEW

ON THE AGENDA

HOPING FOR FLEXIBILITY

Glendale Unified School District staff members will tell the Board of Education about their hopes for flexibility from lawmakers, once a resolution for taking on California’s budget deficit is implemented.

Officials have been concerned that a solution from the Legislature might include drastic midyear cuts to education, without offering sufficient flexibility for addressing the budget holes that reductions might leave behind.

Administrators have been calling for a solution that would include components from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposals, which call for educational cuts, but would allow officials to solve shortfalls by using money previously restricted for other uses.

Supt. Michael Escalante was one of a group of area superintendents to meet with local representatives Friday, in an effort to press for adoption of the governor’s flexibility measures for educators.

Staff members will also discuss moves they would take in order to address the deficit that will likely come to the district with midyear cuts.

One of the options being considered by administrators would be increasing student-teacher ratios in kindergarten through third-grade classes that are currently funded by state class-size reduction grants.

Other possible solutions to help reallocate grant funds to pay for district obligations might involve delaying new text book purchases and reducing the length of the school year.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Trustees will not take action during this discussion.

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REVENUE STREAMS

A recent audit by state Controller John Chiang’s office revealed that several cities and counties were not paying enough of their revenues to the state.

This led district officials to wonder if they were receiving their share. They will therefore recommend that the board approve a $4,800 agreement with a consulting firm that would help the district in determining whether it is receiving its share of revenue from local redevelopment project areas.

Under the agreement, the Dolinka Group would examine the district’s two revenue sources from the city of Glendale — the San Fernando Corridor Redevelopment Project and the Central Glendale Redevelopment Project.

The evaluation would also determine whether the district would owe more money to the state, if it is entitled to collect more money.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Trustees are expected to approve the agreement.