The end of 2007-08 school year is fast approaching, seniors have memorialized the date; it is June 18.

I talked with two seniors from Tesoro High School. They are eagerly waiting for the date and the summer, after which they start a new beginning, college life. As they are not sure of the future, they ask what they can expect. I sincerely wish their success.

I have good news and bad news to report:

Our state Governor’s May Revised budget has agreed to suspend the Proposition 98 cut for 2008-09 school funding.

As a result CUSD would get back about $8 million for the upcoming budget year. Based on Zero Based Budgeting, I believe that money will be allocated to the teacher’s salary.

As I have said before, the education of students is via the classroom teachers.

Another good piece of news is the CUSD foundation has raised about $700,000 dollars.

I hope if any extra money comes, that can be retained for future rainy years to cover teacher’s salary.

The bad news is this May Revised budget will go to the State Legislative Budget Conference Committee (LBCC) for its study.

After deliberation and compromises, the LBCC will release the budget in mid-June.

The final step in the budget process is approval by a two-thirds vote of both the State Legislature and the State Senate.

Then the budget will be forwarded to the Governor for signature, which may happen in the September-October time frame. So we have a long way to go.

On May 13, I attended the CUSD Facilities Committee meeting as the President of Ladera Ranch Maintenance Corporation (LARMAC) along with our Town Manger, Dennis Javens.

We, in Ladera, need more field spaces as the number of athletes is growing at a rapid pace.

Three CUSD trustees led the meeting, during which Mr. Javens presented the LARMAC’s request of using the two school playgrounds in Ladera Ranch.

The request was approved by the Facilities Committee, and will be forwarded to the School Board for its approval.

The two athletic fields in San Juan High School close to the high-pressure liquid fuel line that I reported on in last month’s column continues to remain off limits.

The District has hired a consultant to investigate the issue. Mr. Jim Reardon, who brought this matter to the CUSD’s attention, has agreed to assist the consultant for the mitigating measures.

We all have received the ballot for the special election to be held on June 24. I reported earlier that Ms. Marlene Draper and Ms. Sheila Benecke are being recalled.

This election will cost the District about $700,000 to $800,000. The results of this election will be good through November 2008 when these two seats will again be up for reelection!