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The Pleasanton school district is looking at "bad news and worse news" for next year's budget, said Luz Cazares, assistant superintendent of business services. State triggers were pulled last month, initiating cuts at many districts, although Pleasanton had already budgeted for the scenario.

Cazares said Gov. Jerry Brown has made risky assumptions in his upcoming budget, including passing new taxes in November. She said the budget also includes more money than state officials believe new taxes would raise.

Beyond that, should the new taxes not pass, the district would be left with a $6.4 million shortfall. Cazares said reinstituting cuts made last year, then restored, would still leave an additional $3.1 million to be cut.

She said Brown has indicated that state-level cuts would be about the cost of 15 instructional days, a possible hint that he would approve a shortened school year.

Monday, Jan. 16, is the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday for the Pleasanton Unified School District and the city of Pleasanton, which means the library and city offices as well as the schools will be closed.

BART will run a Saturday schedule; service will begin around 6 a.m. and end around midnight, and parking permit and fee requirements will not be enforced in station parking facilities.

The Pleasanton Police Department is accepting applications for its upcoming Citizens' Police Academy. Classes will run Feb. 17-May 24, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Topics include Community Policing, Patrol Procedures, Radio Communications, SWAT, Narcotics Investigations, Crime Prevention, Traffic Enforcement, K-9's, Evidence Collection, Use of Force Issues, Animal Services and the DARE program.

The goals of the program are to create closer partnerships with the public, explain law enforcement procedures, and discuss the importance of public involvement in the policing process. This is the 20th time the department is offering the classes.

For an application, go to the front counter of the Police Department; call the Crime Prevention Officer Archie Chu at 931-5233; or visit ci.pleasanton.ca.us/services/police/.