A pledge by members of the Los Altos Educational Foundation has preserved positions for nine Los Altos School District teachers.

LAEF last week promised to raise $535,000 to retain the teachers, who recently received pink slips due to budget cuts for the 2011-2012 school year.

The increase prompted the district board of trustees to approve a revised budget submitted by district officials at the May 24 meeting.

Foundation representatives said they want the money earmarked to maintain the district’s K-6 class sizes (capped at 24 students per classroom, with an average of 21), the junior high teacher-in-charge positions, the junior high arts electives and the library programs at 25 hours a week.

Randy Kenyon, assistant superintendent for business services, advised the trustees that the foundation donation is a one-time infusion. The district will still face a $3.8 million deficit for 2011-2012. Even if voters pass a $225 parcel-tax increase (the amount recommended by the consultant) in November, he said, administrators would have to cut approximately $1 million next spring. Without the parcel-tax increase, the district would remain in the same predicament as this year.

Trustee Mark Goines said he would like to know if the district could restore two part-time elective teaching positions not covered by foundation funds. Kenyon agreed to report on the positions at Monday’s meeting.

Although the board gave administrators the OK to move ahead with the budget, it is not a done deal. Trustees won’t vote on the final budget until their June 21 meeting.

Other board business

•  The board continued to discuss a possible parcel-tax increase, leaning toward placing the measure on the November ballot.

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