The Pleasant Valley School District board of education needed to cut nearly $680,000 to adopt a budget for the 2009-10 school year.

The board grudgingly approved the budget during last week's regular meeting at city hall.

"I'm okay with approving this tonight," PVSD trustee Patty Lerner said, "but I think the whole thing stinks."

The school district must make $3.4 million in cuts to balance the 2009-10 budget.

Linda Bekeny, the assistant superintendent of business and financial services, said the district may have to make midyear cuts in 2009-10 and cut an additional $2.6 million for the 2010-11 school year.

"We don't feel we're at the bottom yet," Bekeny said. "201011 will be a very rough year for every district in Ventura County."

Pleasant Valley had to act quickly. The school district is required to submit a balanced budget to the Ventura County Office of Education before June 30.

The district will receive a boost from the federal government, with three onetime stimulus funds over the next 18 months.

It is expected to receive about $1.3 million for special education funds, half of which can be used for the general fund. The district is also expected to receive $203,000 for Title I programs and $160,00 for preschools.

The district left little wiggle room for funding any extra programs—there will be only $5,387 left over from the 2009-10 adopted budget.

"Could you cut it any closer?" board member Ron Speakman asked rhetorically.

Board member Warren Harwood said the state legislators have left California in a "ruinous" position.

"Education is taking a hit," Harwood said. "And we're not alone. . . . This is outrageous."

3 new principals

The school district recently hired new principals at La Mariposa, Dos Caminos and Las Posas elementary schools.

Jay Greenlinger is the new principal at La Mariposa. Greenlinger replaces Pam Gonzalez, who will take over at Las Colinas Middle School. Former Las Colinas principal Pat FitzGerald is retiring.

Erica Williams will lead Dos Caminos. Williams replaces RaeAnne Michael. Michael will replace the retiring Esther Winkelman at Los Primeros School of Science and Arts.

James Martinez takes over for Julie Antilla-Garza at Las Posas.

Antilla-Garza was fired by the district with less than a month remaining in the 2008-09 school year.

Her dismissal has angered Las Posas parents, who have begun distributing a petition to recall all five board members and replace Superintendent Luis Villegas.