School Board Gives Tentative Budget OK

After approving nearly $43 million in cuts, the Los Angeles Board of Education has approved a tentative $3.8-billion spending plan for 1989-90, which slightly exceeds this year’s $3.5-billion budget.

Among the largest cuts approved are a 5% reduction in central administration costs ($6.1 million), eliminating outside management consultants on school construction projects ($2.4 million) and trimming per-student allotments of lottery money ($3 million).

The budget includes some new expenditures required by law, such as earthquake repairs ($1.2 million), handicapped access ($1 million) and replacement of underground fuel storage tanks ($1.4 million). Other programs may be considered later this week, but chief financial officer Robert Booker said that additional expenditures would require further reductions in other areas.

The proposals for new spending include $6.5 million to implement a plan to end low achievement, $250,000 for dropout prevention, $192,458 to expand humanities education and $131,883 to give district employees first-aid training.