DOWNEY — The Norwalk-La Mirada and Downey Unified school districts have gone to their reserve funds to come up with balanced budgets for the fiscal 2010-11 school year.

They have officially notified the Los Angeles County Office of Education here they can pay expenses for the next two or three years, as required by state law.
But while Downey officials say they may have to go to reserves the next three years to meet budget allocations, the district has received a positive qualification from the state Department of Education, as has the Bellflower Unified School District.

Norwalk-La Mirada Unified, along with Little Lake City and Paramount Unified are among 160 school districts throughout the state — including 30 in Los Angeles County — that received qualified certifications, meaning they may not be able to meet all their financial obligations over the next three fiscal years.

Ruth Perez, superintendent at Norwalk-La Mirada, notes that while the district can pay the bills for two years, the third year “will be a challenge.”

The Lynwood Unified School District is the only school district in Los Angeles County — and one of only 14 statewide — to receive a negative certification from the state regarding the district’s financial status this year.

Members of the Downey school board have approved a balanced budget for the coming year by using some $8 million in reserve funds.

Kevin Condon, assistant superintendent for business, said the district budget is based on the assumption of a student body enrollment of 21,782 with California Lottery funds of $111 and state average daily attendance funds of $14 per student and a cost of living increase from the state of 2.10 percent.

Condon estimates revenue of about $164 million in the coming year and spending of about $174 million with the deficit made up from reserve funds bringing the anticipated balance June 30, 2011, to about $40.4 million including restricted and unrestricted funds.

Deficits are also expected in the next two years, bringing the balance June 30, 2013, to about $23.6 million.

Anticipated spending in the coming year includes about $88.4 million for teacher and administrative salaries, $24 million for classified (clerical, janitor) pay and about $32.3 million in total benefits. Another $7.2 million is projected for books and supplies, Condon said.

Maureen Saul, assistant superintendent for Norwalk-La Mirada, estimates revenue for her district in the coming fiscal year at $174.56 million (about $18 million less than the past year) with expenses of about $184.69 million.

That’s a general fund deficit of about $10.1 million, which will come from the reserve fund, leaving an estimated balance of $34.2 million June 30, 2011.
Certificated salaries including teachers and administrators is projected at $80.2 million, down about $4 million from the past year.

Classified salaries (clerks, janitors, bus drivers) are anticipated at $30.2 million, down about $100,000; and benefits for all employees are expected to cost $32.3 million, down about $1.6 million.

Perez, in a written budget message, said: “In these very difficult times our employee associations — Teachers Association Norwalk Mirada and the California School Employees Association — are sharing the load of keeping our district solvent while understanding that the priority is enhanced student achievement.”

Some of the cuts include reduction of 12 full-time district employees, reduction of an assistant principal, secretary and janitor positions at Glenn High and an assistant principal at El Camino High School and increasing the student-teacher ratio from the current 20 to one to 28 to 1 in all elementary grades.