School Budget Due for Public Hearing
The Newport-Mesa Unified School District board today will schedule a public hearing to consider a final budget, which must be adopted before school starts Sept. 10.
Despite millions in budget cuts made last year, the district is facing a possible $1.5-million budget deficit this year. The district’s total budget is $100 million.
Finance Director Mike Fine said that a number of factors, including a large salary increase for teachers and the reopening of two schools, contributed to the shortfall.
“We have more than sufficient reserves to cover that,” Fine said. “The key is not to turn it into a trend.”
In March, the board approved a 7% pay increase for teachers, which will cost the district $3.2 million annually.
To keep up with increasing enrollment, the district has reopened Davis School and Rea School for the fall. The estimated cost of reopening the schools, which have been closed for about 10 years, has been estimated at $1 million each.
The board meets at 7 p.m. at Harper Community Center, 425 E. 18th St., Costa Mesa. Information: (714) 760-3500.
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