BURBANK SCHOOLS MAY USE LAYOFFS TO CLOSE BUDGET GAP.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

BURBANK - The Burbank Unified School District board will consider a recommendation next week to cut 22 jobs to help close a $3 million budget gap.

The layoffs, recommended by the district's budget advisory committee, were among some 100 proposals considered during a three-hour meeting Wednesday.

Among the jobs recommended to be cut will be those in special education, technology, business services; guidance advisers at elementary schools; clerks; and maintenance workers. The panels also recommended reductions in school supplies.

``It's not set in stone yet,'' said Steve Bradley, Burbank Unified's assistant superintendent of business services. ``But it's coming down to the wire for the school board.''

The 18-member committee of volunteers fell about $48,000 short of their goal of recommending more than $3 million in cuts. The panel agreed to form a subcommittee to examine contracts with outside services that could be renegotiated to yield extra savings.

They also prioritized positions they would like to see reinstated should funding become available through grants.

``I was satisfied with the process, though I can't say I agreed with the outcome of every vote,'' said committee member Nancy Pierce, who represents the Parent Teacher Association. ``I was disappointed that the position of a school nurse who is retiring would not be replaced.''

Pierce said the PTA's goal was to keep cuts away from the classrooms as much as possible. Committee members considered but then voted against reducing daily cleanings of classrooms used by fourth- through 12th-graders.

``The point is to be made that everybody who works for the district is there for the kids,'' she said. ``But in some ways, there might be a ripple effect.''

The last time the Burbank school district laid off employees was in the early 1990s, when California was hit hard by a deep recession, officials said.

But cuts back then weren't as steep, Bradley said.

The shortfall stems from errors made two years ago, when auditors failed to enter costs accrued by the special education department. There were additional errors when increases in workers' compensation were not entered.

The district also faced $1.7 million in statewide cutbacks.

School board member Trish Burnett said the committee should be commended for examining each carefully in a short time.

``I know the board is very respectful of the budget committee, but I couldn't say how the board will vote,'' Burnett said.

The board may consider a proposal made in March by Councilman Dave Golonski to have the city provide $700,000 for short-term funding.

The Joint Action Group, which includes two members of the school board and two from the City Council, will meet June 17 to discuss the proposal.

``Ultimately, the board has to look at everything in the context of everything we know,'' Burnett said. ``There are still a few variables to be considered.''