By Sara Ballenger

The Budget Review Committee met March 29 to discuss possible cuts in expenditures for the 2001-2002 school year. The Los Altos School District needs $3 million cut from its current budget to balance next year’s budget.

“We have a five-year spending plan, and there is no budget surplus this year. The problem for next year is that it just doesn’t get any better,” said Jay Thomas, LASD Board of Trustees president.

The meeting stressed that the cuts mentioned were only possibilities, rather than concrete decisions. The final decisions will be left to the school board at their meeting April 9 (after the Town Crier went to press).

“The cuts have to be made no matter what,” said Randy Kenyon, assistant superintendent for business services.

The Administrative Council prepared a list of possible cuts totaling $1,279,000 according to the meeting agenda. The council consists of all LASD principals, superintendents and administration. Possible site-specific cuts itemized in this category are copiers, art, speech and library aides.

Kenyon presented suggestions for $240,000 in cuts at the district level. Possibilities include eliminating the usage cost of a warehouse, the summer cleaning program and the District Office support staff.

“This represents agony. We do not want to cut anything out of our schools, but we have to,” said Principal Steve Peck of Santa Rita Elementary School.