IRVINE - A reduction of fourth- and fifth-grade science class time was the sole item spared from the proposed adjustments and cuts list that Irvine Unified school board members voted on tonight in an effort to save $12.6 million. The district is preparing for a expected budget shortfall.
The board approved all other staff recommendations, which included increasing athletic transportation fee from $125 to $245 starting next school year and increasing grades 4-12 class size by cutting teachers. The latter would save the district about $2.5 million.
One of the recommended cuts by district staff was to reduce fourth- and fifth-grade class time taught by a science specialist from 120 minutes per week to 90 minutes a week. Board members Sharon Wallin and Gavin Huntley-Fenner recommended that the district use money from the Irvine Ranch Water District to pay to keep the additional science instruction. The district has more than $3 million left from money that the water district has paid to use the school district's land on Barranca Parkway and Harvard Avenue for water treatment, Huntley-Fenner said. The board unanimously approved that proposal.
Other approved adjustments included reductions of district office positions, special education costs, and work hours for assistant principals and health clerks.
More than 20 district students, parents and staff will fly to Sacramento on Wednesday morning to talk with state legislators about their budget concerns. The district is required to adopt a budget by June 30, although the state budget is often not finalized until August or September.
