School Board OKs $8.4-Billion Budget

The Los Angeles Board of Education on Thursday tentatively approved an $8.4-billion budget for the 2000-01 school year after interim Supt. Ramon C. Cortines shifted nearly $72 million from books, bathroom repairs and other high-priority needs into a reserve for salary negotiations.

Despite a healthy state treasury that allowed for a 12% increase over last year’s budget, Cortines said there would not be enough money for both the salary increases that employees expect and the program enhancements aimed at improving the instructional program.

Program enhancements may have to be phased in over five years or more, he said.

Cortines said he transferred the funds at the request of some board members who were concerned that it was not clear how much the district had set aside for employee raises.

The district has offered 6%, but the teachers union, which is taking the lead in the contract talks with nine bargaining units, is asking for a 21% increase next year.

In an unusual disclosure, Cortines said he had placed money intended for negotiations under various program titles.

Combined with $260 million previously earmarked for salary increases, the new funds would be enough for a raise of slightly more than 11%. Union officials contend that the raise actually would be less because 1.8% covers benefit increases and another 2% incorporates past bonuses into the salary schedule.

The changes erased funding increases that initially showed in the budget for a few programs geared toward student achievement. The cuts included $1.6 million for counselors, $6 million for textbooks, $9.1 million for teacher training, $1.4 million for library books and $7 million for the expansion of integration programs including magnet schools. Also slashed is $4.4 million for school bathroom renovations and $11 million for computer improvements to track student records.

Cortines said extra funds to restore some of those programs may be available after the state completes its budget this summer. The district budget, now considered provisional, will return to the board on Aug. 29 for final adoption.

Cortines’ discussion of the negotiations caused interim General Counsel Richard H. Sheehan to admonish board members that any disclosures concerning the negotiations would violate collective bargaining law.

Nonetheless, two members gave strong indications of their positions. Julie Korenstein, a frequent champion of United Teachers-Los Angeles, argued that the budget still did not reserve enough for salaries. Caprice Young said she considered the academic improvement programs too important to scrap but agreed to tentatively approve the budget while insisting that the staff find other ways to fund them.

The board voted 5 to 0 to approve the budget with Korenstein abstaining. Board member Valerie Fields was absent.