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Published on 08/31/1998 All articles from this issue

Los Altos schools in line for thousands of additional funds, thanks to state budget

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By Linda Taaffe / Town Crier Staff Writer

California's recently approved state budget promises to add an additional $550,000 to the Los Altos and Mountain View-Los Altos Union High school districts.

The state budget allotted nearly $800 million above the minimum funding earmarked for California's public K-14 schools - an amount $3.2 billion over last year's budget.

The Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District should receive $300,000 in addition to its $21 million budget approved by the district last spring and the Los Altos School District should receive $250,000 beyond what was projected in its $22.5 million district budget approved last spring.

This is the first time that the state budget has allotted a significant amount to schools above the minimum guarantee, said Randy Kenyon, assistant superintendent of business services.

The budget promises to provide full funding for growth and cost-of-living expenses, he said. The budget promises 4 percent more funding this year in unrestricted money and 2.1 percent increasein restricted funds.

"This is the first time the state used Proposition 98 as a floor rather than a ceiling," Kenyon said.

The state budget mandates that districts statewide receive $44 dollars per student over the next four years in addition to the $19 currently allotted to students. This money is earmarked for books and materials aligned with the new core academic standards. This means the Los Altos School District will receive approximately $160,000 in funds for text books and instructional materials.

School libraries statewide will get $158 million cumulatively, or about $28.50 per student, for books periodicals and equipment. This amount is ongoing. The elementary district will receive about $100,000 for library materials.

A one-time, $71 million fund is earmarked for science lab equipment and materials statewide. This means the Los Altos School District will receive about $45,000.

The state budget allows for one-time school-site grants of about $30 per student. This means Los Altos High will get $40,000; Mountain View High will get $37,000; and Alta Vista will receive $10,000, according to Robyn Phillips, associate superintendent of business services at the high school district.

Each of the eight schools in the elementary district will receive no less than $10,000, Kenyon said.

Officials at both school districts said they will revise school budgets based on the new state budget.