SANTA ANA : School Board Cuts Budget $3.6 Million

The Santa Ana Unified School District approved a $194.9-million tentative budget for the 1990-91 school year this week, but district officials are anxiously waiting for the state to finalize its budget to see if changes will have to be made.

The district has already decided on $3.6 million in cuts, resulting in the elimination of 30 classified positions and a reduction in equipment purchases. District Controller Robert Giritz said the cuts are mainly due to cost increases, high enrollment and a projected increase in employee benefits.

“That $3.6 million represents the most significant expenditure reduction in recent years,” Giritz said.

Further cuts may have to be made if the state decides to give a lower cost-of-living allowance than the 4% projected by the district. The district hopes to get nearly $2 million from a school incentive fund that Giritz said could be in jeopardy.

“Right now, those are the two biggest unknowns,” Giritz said. “These are two issues that are still being actively discussed in Sacramento right now. If our assumptions are correct and we receive what we think we’ll get, then we should be in pretty good financial shape.”

Meanwhile, school board members are preparing themselves for the worst.

“It appears that we may have to revisit the budget in three weeks if we have some major bad news,” said Board President Audrey Yamagata-Noji. About 80% of the budget will go toward salaries and benefits, with 17% for other expenses such as busing, supplies and utilities.

The board will adopt the final budget Aug. 28.