As the fallout of the economic downturn trickles from the federal to the state level, school districts are finding it difficult to makes cuts, but impossible to avoid.
At first, the Jefferson Union High School District Board of Education had to figure out how to cut $3.3 million from the budget, but because the state budget was approved and money available through Fund 17—an emergency fund—the balance was reduced to $750,000.
English teacher Tony Press said, “The district isn’t saying they have the money, but won’t give it, they just don’t have it.”
During a board meeting on March 3, two scenarios were presented to the board as the suggested solutions for this crisis. Scenario A is a negotiable solution that requires employee/retiree to pay from $50, $100 or $150 for their health benefits.
The cost of payment depends on the type of health plan. This part is not negotiable, but the reduction of Cash-in-Lieu by $600 and the suspension of vacation pay has to be negotiated through the union.
Scenario B, which might be the solution that will be put into action based on the results of the teacher and staff polls on March 18, is non-negotiable. This includes suspending sabbaticals, reducing custodial over time, increasing athletic transportation fees, and reducing school clerical aide staffing by 3.5 full-time equivalents.
Although Scenario A and B have been thoroughly discussed, a final decision has still not yet been made. According to last week’s poll to determine which scenario teachers and staff prefer, 108 union members voted to pay for health benefits while 248 voted to take a voluntary pay cut in order to preserve jobs and low cost health benefits.
Many union members are trying to stay active by participating in protests against the proposed budget cuts such as the one on Friday, March 13th at El Camino Real and Serramonte Boulevard. Known as “Pink Friday,” many members from across the district rallied with signs, chants and bullhorns.
Local 1481 President Michael Nemeth said, “It’s important for the community to know that education is an investment for the future and we have to be willing to make the investments today to guarantee that the future will be a positive one.”
A few days before, pink slips were handed to teachers that are in jeopardy of losing their jobs, and many people wore pink during the protest to show support to those non-tenured teachers.
Another protest occurred in Sacramento on March 16, which was sponsored by JUHSD. A bus arrived at Westmoor High School at around 7:30 a.m. to leave for the protest, also known as the “March to Sacramento.”
As the board progresses to a decision, opinions and views on the situation are multiplying. During the board meeting on March 3, Jefferson P.E. teacher Greg Alvarado expressed to the board his opinion about how older teachers have sacrificed a lot already and are not benefiting from the pay rates.
Although many teachers and staff members are in agreement with his opinion, many also believe that everyone should share in the sacrifice of money in order to keep valued employees.
Jefferson High School custodian John Meyer, who might suffer from the possible custodial over time cuts, said, “Well, you know everyone has to make sacrifices because the budget is tight.” He also added
Nemeth said, “If we all share in the sacrifice we can get through this.”
Superintendent Mike Crilly said the goal is to keep the cuts as far away from the classroom as possible to not affect students. Principal Lou Silberman agreed, saying that their main goal is “to affect the students as little as possible.”
Teachers are willing to compromise to ensure students receive an education while they keep their health benefits and job security.
Press said, “It’s like ‘The Grapes of Wrath.’ In difficult times, people had to look out for each other.”