The Santa Barbara School Board voted unanimously to approve the
district’s final budget for the 2006-07 school year. Thanks to some
late-June equalization funding signed into effect by Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the budgets for both the elementary and high
school districts narrowly came out in the black. Factoring in a 3
percent reserve safety net, the high school district came in with
$1.3 million to spare, while the enrollment-challenged elementary
district just squeaked by with $7,600 wiggle room. According to
district financial gurus, more money will be required to keep
schools running smoothly next year, so the August 8 board meeting
has been tabbed as the time and place for boardmembers to suggest
budget additions and, more importantly, reductions, specifically
from the hard-hit elementary district.
