School Deficit Covered for Now, Officials Say

Newport-Mesa Unified School District officials said Monday that there is enough money in its reserve to cover a projected $5-million deficit this year, but innovative solutions will have to be found for the future.

“I think we have to do something positive now, or we are going to be in the same position next year,” board President Jim Ferryman said.

For years, board members have balanced the budget in the same way: by trimming employees and cutting programs and services. Now board members say they will have to come up with other solutions to the chronic deficit.

Board members said they will study some extreme cost-saving ideas, including consolidating underenrolled schools to save on staffing costs.