President Caprice Young called the meeting to order at 9:51 a.m., simultaneously with the recessed closed session of March 25, 2003, and the April 8, 2003 closed session.

The following Members were present: Ms. Marlene Canter, Ms. Genethia Hudley Hayes,
Mr. Mike Lansing, and President Caprice Young. Ms. Julie Korenstein and Mr. David Tokofsky arrived at 10:05 a.m. Mr. José Huizar arrived at 10:09 a.m.

Superintendent Roy Romer was present.

Mr. Huizar led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Dr. Joseph Zeronian indicated the April 7 budget document supersedes the copy previously distributed to Board Members. He noted that the figures remain the same; but there were some descriptions that were modified. Dr. Zeronian announced the next opportunity for budget discussion will take place at the Business, Finance, Audit and Technology Committee which will be held on April 10, 2003.

President Young stated that responses to questions or concerns related to the budget must be received by the Board Members on April 17, 2003, for discussion at the next Regular Board meeting on April 22. Dr. Zeronian provided a brief presentation of the Preliminary Budget for 2003-04. He stated that consistently less State revenue has come in than forecasted. The District staff will receive new financial information from the State on May 9, but will have to make local decisions without having the final information. At the present time, it is estimated that the District's income for 2003-04 will decrease by 3 percent.

Dr. Zeronian discussed how General Funds are spent Districtwide and what proposed actions are being considered such as reduction or deferred planned growth where possible, reduction of State funded categorical programs; reduction of central and local district expenditures, reduction of school resources, and use of the ending balance. He listed areas of reductions:

Current Proposed
Allocation Reduction
Current Expense of Education (teachers salaries and benefits,
aides salaries and benefits, and material budgets) $3.7 billion $61 million

Expenditures in Schools Not in the Classroom (counselors,
assistant principals, principals, nurses, transportation, etc.) $l.5 billion $81 million

Non Schools (central office, local district, etc.) $580 million $58 million

The total reductions are in the range of $200 million. The other actions in terms of deferring growth, using ending balance, etc., will fill the gap necessary to balance the budget.

Dr. Zeronian reiterated this is the beginning of a process. His proposals are still short approximately $32 million. The preliminary budget does not anticipate layoffs of teachers; however, there would be positions in the classified service, as well as support positions outside the classroom, that could be affected by the budget recommendations. The budget does not contain any proposal to modify the classroom staffing "norm" as it relates to teaching staff, with the exception of a proposal to carry out mid-year renorming at the high school level.

Dr. Zeronian briefly explained the Summary of Preliminary Budget, the Growth Items, and Proposed Actions to Address Shortfall listed on pages 6 through 11 of the Budget document.

The following speakers addressed the Board:

Ms. Sandra Christenson

Ms. Elva Miller representing Senior High Options Principals Organization

Ms. Delores Sanchez representing California School Employees Association

Board Members requested that staff provide them with the net affect on schools and students of all budget reductions as well as a list of items being considered under "Cost Efficiencies to be Identified."

Dr. Zeronian and Superintendent Romer elaborated on the process used to identify the proposed budget reductions and responded to questions and concerns by Board Members.

On motion by Mr. Lansing, seconded by Ms. Korenstein, the meeting adjourned by general consent at 12:26 p.m.

APPROVED BY THE BOARD: April 22, 2003

______________________________ __________________________________
CAPRICE YOUNG JEFFERSON CRAIN
PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE BOARD