Schools Expected to End Year in Black

At a time when some school systems are strapped for cash, the Conejo Valley Unified School District should end the next fiscal year comfortably in the black.

District trustees last week approved an $89-million budget that calls for spending nearly $900,000 on new equipment and about $46 million for teachers and administrators’ salaries, which includes small raises. With more than $92 million in expected income--and nearly $4 million already in reserve--the district should finish the year with about $7 million to spare.

Despite the healthy finances, the district is considering placing a bond measure on the ballot this fall. The bond money, district officials say, is needed to refurbish classrooms and buildings, expenses the current budget cannot cover. The budget contains only $50,000 for building and site improvements.