A preliminary budget for Shoreline Unified School District shows that some of the moves made this year to reduce a debilitating structural budget deficit will pay off in coming years. In particular, the successful passage of “golden handshake” agreements that encourage a number of teachers and staff to retire in return for enhanced benefits will bring the district’s budget into the black next year. Shoreline will absorb a one-time cost of $350,000 to fund the retirement incentive, but that will be offset by long-term savings generated by the agreements. Additionally, the decision to become a “district of choice”—whereby students transferring into the district will bring with them state money—will give Shoreline a one-time $400,000 boost, though there is no guarantee that Governor Jerry Brown will renew district-of-choice legislation before it expires at the end of the year. Health insurance costs, likewise, came in lower than expected, with a benefit to the district of $90,000. Contributions to CALSTRS and CALPERS, however, continue to increase and will negatively impact the district’s budget in the future. In sum, the district is still deficit spending, but less so than at the start of this past school year. “Right now, we’re in the black by just a little bit,” said the district’s business manager, Bruce Abbott. “But we go back in the red [after next year], not by a lot, but some. There’s a pretty healthy reserve. We’re not looking to be insolvent anytime soon, but we do need to [further] cut the deficit spending.” As required by California’s Local Control Accountability Plan, a special meeting was held on Tuesday night in which Mr. Abbott presented the budget. He will bring the budget before the board of trustees again for approval at next Thursday’s monthly board meeting.