CITY CASH TO SAVE SCHOOL STAFF? BAILOUT WOULD HEAD OFF BUSD DEFICIT, LAYOFFS.

Byline: Helen Gao Staff Writer

GLENDALE - If Councilman Dave Golonski has his way, the Burbank Unified School District will get some help in closing a projected $1.9 million deficit so it won't have to lay off any staffers.

The City Council tonight will discuss Golonski's proposal to provide the school district with $700,000, possibly in the form of an electric rate subsidy, to offset the deficit.

``I think the city could step in with some short-term gap funding to give the district a little room to work out better ways to solve those funding gaps than the immediate solutions,'' he said, alluding to the district's recent discussions to lay off counselors, guidance advisers, nurses, administrative staff members and psychologists.

So far, the school district has tentatively decided to eliminate a full-time counselor position and a full-time psychologist position.

``The bottom line is, when I look at the staffing for nurses, guidance advisers and counselors, I really think it needs to go in the other direction,'' said Golonski, noting incidents of campus violence in recent years.

Superintendent David Aponik was off Monday and could not be reached for comment.

School board member Elena Hubbell said before the district accepts money from the city, it needs to find out what it entails, as well as get a better picture of its own finances.

``The district and the city are two separate entities. It's wonderful they are considering helping,'' she said, ``but it might be a little premature.''

City staffers are also urging caution.

If the city gives the district direct financial assistance, the law allows the state to reduce funding to the district by as much as 50 percent of the aid given.

Therefore, city staff members have recommended providing financial assistance in the form of an electric rate subsidy. Aponik had previously said rising utility costs from new classrooms at Burbank and Burroughs high schools are one of his major budget concerns.

Before helping the school district out, city staffers also asked the council to consider the city's own needs first. They worry that Burbank could face a financial crisis of its own if the state balances its budget by shifting away local revenues.

``Staff believes that no matter what type of financial assistance the City Council may want to provide the BUSD, it will impact the city's ability to fund a project,'' Derek Hanway, financial services director, wrote in a report to the council.

However, city staff members listed a number of ways to provide the electric rate subsidy that they believe would minimize the effects on the city.

Those options include using money from the Burbank Water and Power Utility Users Tax fund, the airport litigation fund or youth programs account.

Although Burbank in the past has provided the school district with millions for capital improvement, it has never before given the district money for operations.

``Now it's funding for day-to-day operations. That's the precedent that is a little scary,'' said City Manager Robert ``Bud'' Ovrom. ``We have never gotten into paying for something inside a building.''