The Santa Barbara School Board got some great budget news this week. After early speculation had it looking at some $4.5 million worth of general fund budget cuts this year, prudent spending last year plus a state budget signed into reality early last month has the district looking at significantly less cuts. In fact, according to Deputy Superintendent Eric Smith at this week’s board meeting, the board will have to make only $500,000 worth of cuts by the county-mandated 12/15 deadline, and Smith thinks the needed cash can be found via budget craftsmanship and various revenue enhancement tricks. However, Smith was quick to point out that even with this good news, the state is far from being fiscally flush and additional mid-year cuts could still come to pass.
