Beverly Hills OKs $4-Million Lease Deal With School District

The city of Beverly Hills has agreed to pay the Beverly Hills Unified School District a record $4 million next year under a lease agreement to open the district’s playgrounds, auditoriums, libraries and other facilities for public use.

The agreement follows months of negotiations between the city and the school district aimed at finding a legal mechanism for the city to provide increased funding to the financially troubled district, which is seeking to balance its $25.8-million budget.

The City Council unanimously approved the agreement Tuesday night.

Mayor Benjamin Stansbury assured the five school board members in the audience that the “issue of support for the school system was never a question.”

The only question, he added, was whether the city has enough resources to cover all of the district’s financial shortcomings. “I think not,” he said.

Avoiding More Cuts

In thanking the council for its action, school board President Mark Egerman said the decision will help the district avoid further cuts in the 1987-88 school year. Already, the district has sent layoff notices to 30 teachers and other employees and cut its budget by $2 million.

In recent years the city has paid an average of $1 million a year to support schools. The amount was increased to $2.2 million last year.

The district agreed to provide equipment, training and space for city employees to operate a television studio on district property when it is not being used for educational purposes. The district operates an educational channel and broadcasts all board meetings live.

The district also agrees to open libraries at El Rodeo, Hawthorne, Horace Mann, Beverly Vista elementary schools and Beverly Hills High School during non-school hours to supplement the city’s library system.

The city also agreed to lease playgrounds, auditoriums and other facilities for meetings and recreational activities planned by the city.