LA Unified superintendent contends with budget cuts

Los Angeles Unified superintendent Ramon Cortines says the district faces a deficit of up to $500 million next year.

Cortines told KPCC’s Patt Morrison that despite the tough financial situation, there’s one place he won’t cut.

“I have already gone on record that I will not go to half-day kindergarten. The research shows the foundation of children that are in a grounded good full-day kindergarten how it helps them in first, second, and third."

Cortines acknowledges that some elementary school classes may need to get bigger, but he opposes an idea that would expand class sizes to 29 students for one teacher.

Earlier this month, the district announced it would use federal stimulus money to compensate for a recent cut in state funding. That means the money won’t be available for next year.