Budgets Slashed, School District Turns to Council

In the face of shrinking budgets, representatives from the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District came to Rancho Palos Verdes councilmembers Tuesday night to shed light on the district’s issues and ask for continued support, but the council could offer no promises.

Superintendent of Schools Walker Williams and Board of Education President Dora de la Rosa both approached the council with their concerns for the district and hopes for support from the city. 

“Every time [the state has] a fiscal crisis up there, we’re waiting for the hammer to drop … [to see] what this means for us,” Williams said.

Councilman Brian Campbell noted the city’s ties to the school district, saying the health of one impacts the other.

“We have to continue to support our schools,” he said.

But Mayor Tom Long reminded the district’s representatives “there’s not a lot we can do,” as the city looks at its own budgets.

However, noting the city's past financial support for the district, he said the council would consider future assistance.

Because of a decline in school district revenue and predictions that millions of dollars in cuts were possible in coming years, the district will have to make “serious reductions,” Williams said. Those cuts likely will hit the people working for the district.

“You have to go to people and make those reductions in those areas,” he said.

De la Rosa pointed to proposed statewide tax-extension measures as crucial to the fortunes of the district.

“Our fate … will rest upon what happens with the proposed tax-extension measures,” she said.

Voter approval of Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed five-year extension of specific taxes, set to expire this year, could help the district, Williams said.

The proposed measure, which would continue increases in sales, income and vehicle taxes, is part of Brown's plan to clear a more than $25-billion deficit in the state.

Without its inclusion on the ballot and passage, the district would face more, almost immediate cuts, Williams added, foreseeing possible budget reductions of $5 million per year throughout the next two fiscal years.

However, even if the measure is successful, "we’re still looking at making serious reductions,” he said.

De la Rosa said the district is grateful for local funding, but it represents a small portion compared to most of its funding from the state, which is tied to “ups and downs.”

Repairs in the district have been costly and there are more to be done, such as a new pool at Peninsula High School.

“We can spare no more [in funds] than what we consider to be the bare minimum,” she said.

Mayor Pro Tem Anthony Misetich said a lack of funds for repairs is a problem for area schools.

“If they don’t have facilities that meet their needs, that’s a big issue,” he said.

Campbell looked to the upcoming March 8 vote on Measure C as something that could help the school district. In March, residents can vote on the measure that would change Rancho Palos Verdes from a general law city to a charter city. The city's Finance Advisory Committee has for the city with the passage of Measure C.

“[Measure C] is one more step to being able to run our own business better,” Campbell said. “We’ll be financially healthier [and that’s] in the best interest of the school district.”