Educators Optimistic Over Fattened State Budget Plan

Schools--and the popular class size reduction program--could be the prime Ventura County beneficiaries of Gov. Pete Wilson’s revised state budget unveiled Wednesday.

The $68.2-billion spending plan--made fat by the state’s booming economy and swelling tax revenues--could bring as much as $33 million to the county for smaller classes in elementary schools and $3.9 million to extend the school year for Oxnard high school students.

“It’s very schools-friendly, in terms of the fact that there’s much more money here,” said Charles Weis, Ventura County’s superintendent of schools. “We went through 15 years of less than cost-of-living increases for schools. It’s only in 1996-1997 and 1997-98 that we’ll see growth more than inflation.”

On the county side, officials don’t know how much of a $225-million windfall for local governments will come their way--beyond $1.1 million earmarked for Ventura County Medical Center administrative costs.

But after years of cutbacks, local budget planners are delighted that the state has decided to share its surplus.

“That in itself is great news, that we’re waiting to see about more money rather than how much we’re going to lose,” said Bert Bigler, chief deputy in the county administrator’s office. “We’re not counting on anything, but the vibe we’re getting is pretty good.”

For schools, the revised budget boosts class size reduction funding to $1.5 billion. That expands both the scope and funding level of the program--which rewards school districts that pare primary grade classes to 20 or fewer pupils.

For the coming school year, schools will receive $800 for every student in kindergarten through third grade who learns in a reduced class.

This year, schools with smaller classes have qualified for $650 a pupil. Schools can shrink first- and second-grade classes and then choose either kindergarten or third grade.

If every district participates to the fullest in the new school year--putting an estimated 41,000 kindergartners through third-graders in smaller classes--county campuses could receive more than $33 million in class size reduction funds.

With the extra money, the number of county students who enjoy the program’s one-on-one attention for learning reading, writing and math could double, Weis predicted.

In Ventura County this year, more than 18,000 students--slightly less than half of the kindergarten through third-grade population--are in smaller classes.

From Ojai to Oxnard and Santa Paula to Simi Valley, each of Ventura County’s 18 elementary and unified school districts had shrunk classes for first-graders. Many have shaved second-grade classes and a select few have trimmed kindergarten or third grades.

Though some school systems--worried about finances and lack of space--timidly embraced the program at first, Weis anticipates a bear hug for the next school year.

“What [the new budget] means is that, if not all K through 3 students, then a significant number of K through 3 students will be in classes of 20,” Weis said. “The hesitancy of school districts was having to significantly cut other programs to pay for smaller class size. Now they won’t have to do that.”

Just months after the program’s onset, teachers, trustees and superintendents across the county have begun the clamor for the $800 funding figure--as opposed to the current $650 per pupil.

Worried that the program would push districts into debt or force cuts in other programs, a handful of school boards approved formal resolutions asking state legislators to pay the full tab for trimmed classes. State Sen. Jack O’Connell, who represents parts of Ventura County, submitted legislation in December urging more money for the program.

Apparently, their voices were heard.

Despite the financial boon, some school districts simply do not have the space to expand the program. Thousand Oaks schools, which have already cut class size for first- through third-graders, are among them, said Assistant Supt. Rich Simpson.

“The $800 covers all of our operating expenses for additional staff and smaller classes,” he said. “But to expand beyond where we are would take a tremendous additional amount of facilities money . . . We’ve already taken out something like $2.5 million in loans to buy 20 portables for the existing grades.”

Fillmore’s Supt. Mario Contini was more optimistic, saying more money could double or triple the number of students in smaller classes in his area.

Eschewing debt, Fillmore educators reduced class sizes only in first grade this school year. “At $800 [a pupil], we’re in pretty good shape for second grade,” he said. “And maybe even third.”

The revised budget also preserves $3.9 million for the Oxnard Union High School District to lengthen the academic year by eight days. A year prior, the school district extended the academic calendar by seven days at a cost of $1.7 million.

Starting in August, Oxnard high school students will attend school for a total of 195 days, up from 180 in 1995-96.

Those extra days add up, said Supt. Bill Studt.

“You have 15 more days of instruction,” he said. “Kids will be in contact with their teachers for three more weeks a year. If you extrapolate that over four years, you get an additional semester. It’s a way of improving student achievement, an opportunity for learning.”

The local government aid includes $75 million for 23 counties with hospitals that serve large low-income and Medi-Cal patients--$1.1 million of which will come to Ventura County.

State Department of Finance officials said they still are developing a complex formula to distribute $100 million in property tax proceeds to local governments.

Folmar is a Times staff writer and Warchol is a correspondent.

* STATE SPENDING PLAN

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