Hermosa Beach schools back to drawing board

The city school board will continue to study possible money-raising and money-saving measures, such as a parcel tax and further consolidation of school district jobs, after failing to persuade the City Council to consider a tax measure of its own.

Last week the council was told that it could face a legal challenge if it places a tax measure before voters to raise revenue for the financially ailing schools. The council did not formally decline to consider the tax, but no council member took up the school district’s cause. Council members said they will continue to shoulder some costs for the district, including the cost of maintaining ball fields.

The school board will meet in February to further discuss the financial picture, Board President Jack Burns said.

Educators say the school district has seen a $1.7 million shortfall over the last five years.

Since 2007, school programs axed or reduced include an assistant principal, grades 1-5 music, middle school academic counseling, aides for technology, science, general instruction and health, a maintenance and operations coordinator, an operations worker and two clerical workers.