|
|
| 509-J proposal adds teachers, ups sports fees |
|---|
| Board will vote on budget proposal June 23 |
|---|
By Susan Matheny
A proposal to retain two teaching positions by making more cuts to athletics and adjusting library services, was approved by the 509-J Budget Committee on May 6.
The 509-J administrators and budget committee have been grappling with a $3.1 million budget deficit which they intend to correct over the next year.
The shortfall is due to a decrease in enrollment, which means less state school support money, and the costly operation of a partially-full Buff Elementary.
Cost-cutting moves this spring have included the decision to close Westside Elementary to save $920,000, and realign the remaining three elementary schools in Madras and Metolius (average class sizes will be 24 students).
Since personnel costs make up 86 percent of the budget, a proposal was also made to cut 41 staff positions. However, due to retirements and resignations, only 27 employees will end up having to be cut, at last count.
At the April 29 meeting, budget committee members asked Superintendent Kay Baker and her staff to try to find a way to further adjust the budget to add back two teaching positions.
Sports cuts
The result was a proposal to increase high school pay-to-play athletic fees from $50 to $65 per sport, and the family cap from $300 to $350. Also, to start charging gate admission fees for soccer, softball and baseball games. This is projected to increase sports revenue from $16,000 to $25,000.
Eliminating two MHS assistant coaches would save approximately $10,300. Teams will try to recruit volunteer assistant coaches. But if more kids turn out for a sport and safety becomes a concern, the school may have to dip into its discretionary fund to hire an additional assistant coach, Baker indicated.
At the middle school, eliminating intramural sports (which had only 67 participants compared to 398 in competitive sports) would reduce the number of coaches from 26 to 17, for a $34,700 savings.
Library staff
By not replacing retiring librarian Deanna Epley, the district could operate with one certified librarian and one additional instructional assistant. Instructional assistants now run the elementary and JCMS libraries. This adjustment would mean a $43,800 savings.
The combined sports and librarian savings (approximately $88,800) would be enough to hire back one teacher with benefits.
In the meantime, the late resignation of JCMS music teacher Jacqueline Fortier, leaves the funds to hire a second classroom teacher.
Baker noted that the school board could either decide to add back two full-time teachers with benefits, or three half-time teachers with benefits. Either option would cost the same.
Public input
The increase in pay-to-play fees was slated to be discussed at the May 12, school board meeting and there will be time for public input before a decision is made at the June 9 meeting, Baker said.
The final decision on the overall 509-J budget will not be made until the June 23 meeting of the board.
At the May 6, budget meeting, Mack Gardner, Rick Urbach, and Alpine Tower instructor Kris Pepera all made pleas to keep the high school's ropes course.
Calling the challenge course "a great equalizer" for all students, no matter what their background, Pepera noted he had 620 students use the course in the fall, 450 in the winter and 530 this spring.
The ropes course is a nonthreatening exercise where A through F students learn communication, problem solving, teamwork, and collaboration, Gardner emphasized.
Nikki Carson, president of the classified employees union, said the elimination of the warehouse delivery person will put an undue burden on the rest of the maintenance employees. She also suggested money could be saved by watering and mowing fewer school lawns, and removing microwaves and refrigerators from classrooms.
French and Italian teacher Donna Knoy warned that four-year colleges will not accept Rosetta Stone computer foreign language programs, and urged the board to cut sports instead of foreign languages.
Programs cut
School programs slated to be cut under the budget proposal include: the Ropes course, instructor for the Teen Parent program (not the program), French and Italian, woods and drafting, MHS dean of students, director of technology, district deputy clerk, warehouse delivery driver, and 14 other classified positions.
Some vocational classes would be cut, but those remaining include metal fabrication, forestry, accounting, word processing, into to business, Web design, computer tech, ag science and business, animal science and graphics.
Budget recommendation
The budget committee voted unanimously to adopt the budget as presented by Baker, with the latest adjustments.
"We asked them to come up with a couple of FTE (teaching) positions, and they did that. They made the best of a bad deal," committee member Doug Lieuallen commented on the latest proposed cuts.
Committee member Steve Earnest said 509-J revenues haven't begun to keep up with its labor costs.
"Since 2003, teachers salaries have gone up 2 to 3 percent every year. And the insurance cap has seen a 40 percent increase over the past six years. It's $895 now and will go up to $953 next year," Earnest pointed out.
"Since 2003, we have added 12 certified positions and 22 classified positions. At the same time, our enrollment dropped, and English Language Learner (funding) dropped. It's a train wreck waiting for a place to happen, and it's found it," he said.
"When you come down to it, we had to make a cold business decision," he said of the cuts no one wanted to make, but had to.
|
| Go to top. |
|
