INSIDE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT Here are some...

INSIDE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Here are some decisions coming out of Tuesday night’s Newport-Mesa

Unified School District meeting.

TEACHER TRAINING

Trustees approved district support of the Systemic Utilization of

Comprehensive Strategies for Ensuring Student Success project, which

trains teachers to work with preschool and early elementary-aged

children with autism.

WHAT IT MEANS

The district will pay $6,188 to the Orange County superintendent

of schools for coordinating the program, in addition to any

participation fees. The county superintendent has agreed to pay 20%

of the funds for coordination and Special Education Local Plan Areas,

like the district, are splitting the remaining 80%.

The county is asking all participants to shoulder a portion of the

training budget. The program is designed to help teachers develop

programs that may be in use in other districts in the county.

SPECIAL EDUCATION BUDGET

The board of trustees adopted the Special Education Local Plan

Area budget for 2003-04. The district acts as its own agency to

handle special education issues.

WHAT IT MEANS

The state requires each local special education agency to adopt

its annual budget for the past year.

The state also mandates services that must be provided for special

education students. If the costs cannot be covered by state funds or

grants, it encroaches on the district’s general fund.

This year, the district received $14 million for special education

through property taxes, federal and other funds. It spent $29 million

-- meaning a $15-million encroachment on the general fund.

TENTATIVE BUDGET

The board approved the 2004-05 all-funds tentative budget. The

state requires that all districts adopt a tentative budget by June 30

that projects to the year ahead.

WHAT IT MEANS

The proposed budget is balanced, and the district is projecting a

4.6% cash reserve at the end of next year, above the state’s required

3%. Its tentative budget is based on the prior year’s budget and

projections for the coming year.

Because of a deal struck between the governor and public education

officials, the district has a fairly good idea of what funds they

will see in the year to come, said Paul Reed, assistant

superintendent of business services. One wildcard remains in

categorical programs, which the state has threatened to consolidate.

Also next year, new legislation will require seat belts on school

buses -- requiring new equipment to be purchased -- and will require

all people driving students to carry a special license. The district

is instituting full-day kindergarten at its schools as well, which

will affect the operating budget.

Enrollment is projected to go up by 172 students, to 22,598.