No major changes expected for district budget

Deirdre Newman

There will not be a significant change in the school budget now

that Gov. Gray Davis has finally signed the state budget, 65 days

past the deadline, Newport-Mesa Unified School District officials

said Thursday.

Davis’ budget, signed Thursday, increases the investment in

education by $3.3. billion and provides full growth for

cost-of-living adjustments to schools. As part of the budget,

per-pupil spending increases to $7,067, up from less than $6,000 four

years ago.

But the state budget also defers funding for four statewide

programs. Newport-Mesa participates in two of them. Details about the

funding were not available at press time.

However, Paul Reed, assistant superintendent of business services,

said while the 65-day delay had the potential to create a cash

shortfall this year, it won’t because the district has stocked up its

reserves.

“I’m confident that we are more than covered for that eventuality

at this point in time,” Reed said.

Reed said he wasn’t sure about any minor changes to the budget

because he hadn’t received specific figures from the state.

The state budget also includes $4.9 billion in total funding for

the community colleges system, representing a net increase of 1.8

percent.