San Juan Capistrano

The Capistrano Unified School District will consolidate two top administrative jobs into one to help reduce a $3-million budget shortfall.

This summer, administrator Austin Buffum will take over the duties of the outgoing associate superintendent for secondary schools, Tony Monetti, who is leaving the district to be the superintendent of the Roseville Joint Union High School District in Northern California.

Buffum, who had been Monetti's counterpart for elementary schools, will be in charge of instructional programs for all grades.

As deputy superintendent for education, Buffum will oversee teacher development, testing and evaluation and curriculum.

By combining the two posts, Capistrano Unified will save $60,000 annually, district spokeswoman Julie Jennings said.