LAUSD’s Board Votes On A Budget Today — But Don’t Expect It To Be The Final Word

When L.A. Unified School Board members meet today to vote on the district’s annual budget, don’t expect it to be the final word on school finances for the coming year.

That’s because LAUSD officials don’t know exactly how much state funding to expect.

California lawmakers have reached a deal to spare K-12 schools from deep cuts that Gov. Gavin Newsom had proposed in May — at least for now.

But the coronavirus recession has tanked revenue forecasts, and lawmakers are likely to revisit the state’s funding levels as the revenue picture from the delayed July 15 tax filing deadline comes into sharper focus.

From LAUSD officials' presentation accompanying their $8.9 billion budget proposal for the 2020-21 school year. (Screenshot/LAUSD)

Like all California school districts, LAUSD officials must approve their own $8.9 billion budget by today. The district’s budget essentially calls for maintaining the status quo. LAUSD officials plan to return to the board with an updated spending plan, perhaps as early as August.

We’ll be watching the meeting today at 9 a.m. to see if anything major comes up.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING:

• Check the agenda & sign up for public comment
• View LAUSD’s budget slides
• Read LAUSD’s budget proposal
• Watch LAUSD’s live stream

MORE ON THIS STORY:

• In California Budget Deal, No Cuts For K-12 But Billions In Late Payments To Schools (EdSource)
• Budget Deal Shields Neediest Californians, Shifts Burden To Middle Class (CalMatters)

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