Los Angeles school district grapples with deficit

Protesters picket outside the headquarters of the Los Angeles Unified School District as the school board met to close a $360-million budget shortfall by cutting funding for programs in early child development and adult education.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Protesters picket outside the headquarters of the Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Enoe Teran of Adult Education Students yells out against education cuts along with several other groups outside LAUSD headquarters.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles School Board member Steven Zimmer as the LAUSD board meets to close a $360-million budget shortfall.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

LAUSD Board President Monica Garcia and schools Supt. John Deasy listen to deliberations at the board meeting.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

People attending the LAUSD board meeting applaud board members’ pledges to work with the district’s employee unions in an effort to avoid further cuts to education programs.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

District Supt. John Deasy presented a less severe deficit than initially expected to the board and several scenarios that would restore millions in funding and save some programs from either elimination or partial cuts before the budget is finalized.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)