Schools
2010-2011 School District Budget to Get Another Review
Proposed budget shows revenue loss due to increase in K-3 class size.
The 2010-2011 school budget will get another official going over at a special school board meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 8 a.m. Manhattan Beach Unified School District officials were asked to work on the budget after board member Ida VanderPoorte pointed out concerns when it was presented for approval at the Wed., Dec. 8 regularly scheduled board meeting.
New Board President Bill Fournell told Patch on Friday that the board didn't feel comfortable with the budget the way it was.
Once the budget is approved, it goes to the Los Angeles County Department of Education, which administers school budgets and funding from the state.
Find out what's happening in Manhattan Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Michael Matthews, Manhattan Beach Unified School District superintendent, Steve Romines, assistant superintendent, administrative services, and finance staff have worked to right the concerns. The revised budget includes changes, explanations and details, according to a meeting agenda released on Monday, Dec. 13.
Agenda notes say that the district will receive $524,000 less in funds from the K-3 Class Size Reduction Program due to an increase in class sizes. Notes also acknowledge the $4.4 million donation from the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation that resulted in the restoration and creation of 14 certificated staff positions. Other donations cover $2.1 million in school supplies and services, $370,00 on capital outlay and $100,000 in Internet improvements.
Find out what's happening in Manhattan Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
School districts are required twice a year to submit a budget to the county for approval. The initial 2010-2011 budget was submitted on June 16 and approved by the county. The state's budget woes and changing conditions have kept the school district on its toes.
In other news from last week's board meeting, Fournell, formerly the board's clerk, was elected president during the annual organizational meeting.
"I have been able to observe some really talented people in this role so if I just do half as good as they have done, I think I'll be all right," he said.
Fournell appointed member Ellen Rosenberg as vice president and member Penny Bordokas was elected clerk. Fournell replaced VanderPoorte who appointed Howorth as vice president. Fournell will serve as president from December 2010 through November 2011. Each board member is elected to serve a four-year term.
