03-19-2010, 06:13 AM
Ouch! People move to a town for schools and jobs not theaters and lake views. This can't be good.
Board approves layoffs for 560
Superintendent emphasizes $9.74M shortfall, not performance
March 19, 2010
By DAN MORAN <!-- e --><a href="mailto:dmoran@stmedianetwork.com">dmoran@stmedianetwork.com</a><!-- e -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/2111272,5_1_WA19_WAUKEGAN_S1-100319.article">http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... 19.article</a><!-- m -->
Around 560 Waukegan School District employees -- more than a quarter of the entire staff roster -- will receive notices soon that their jobs will be cut at the end of the current school year in the face of a $9.74 million budget shortfall.
The distribution of reduction-in-force (RIF) notices was approved by a 5-2 vote during Thursday's special Board of Education. Board members Domingo Garza and Rita Mayfield-Jedkins cast the dissenting votes.
Superintendent Donaldo R. Batiste said the notices would be distributed among teachers, custodial workers, secretaries, paraprofessionals and administrators.
"It is important to point out that their jobs would not be terminated because of their performance, but because of the projected shortfall of revenues needed to keep them in their positions," Batiste said.
The district previously stated that it is seeking $7.1 million in salary cuts to address the budget gap.
Batiste added that several different types of letters would be sent, including those that state the employee is subject to recall if funds become available following the end of the school year, which is June 4.
On March 9, Gov. Pat Quinn issued a budget address that forecast a $1.3 billion cut in education funds. While school districts across the state wait to see what if any level of new funding will emerge from the current legislative session in Springfield, the main reason the RIF notices were approved this week is that tenured teachers are legally required to receive them 60 days before the end of school, or April 1. For non-tenured teachers, the requirement in 45 days, or April 19.
The district has 2,200 employees, including 1,100 teachers. According to district officials, a little more than $100 million of the district's $160 million budget involves compensation.
Batiste reiterated that state funding isn't the only option when it comes to addressing the budget deficit, with the district asking employee unions to negotiate proposed givebacks that include furlough days, salary freezes and payment of a portion of medical benefits. Non-union employees and administrators have already had those measures implemented, and the district has also called for expanding classes by two students.
Asked about the status of discussions on givebacks, both Batiste and Lake County Federation of Teachers president Mike McGue said Thursday that there has been no recent activity.
"We have a good working relationship with our unions for the most part," Batiste said. "But the administration has reached out for such a meeting, (and) they have refused to come to the table with us."
"Things have stalled somewhat," McGue said. "We think they're operating on the fear -- which is not unfounded -- that the state's not going to make good on payment of revenues that are due ... But we think it's very premature to start looking in the crystal ball. Everybody's crystal ball is foggy right now."
McGue, whose organization represents about 1,700 employees in four bargaining units -- teachers, paraprofessionals, support staff and psychologists/social workers -- added that state education funding "is all in a big state of flux, and the district seems to want to make decisions based on what their estimates are right now."
Next month, McGue said, the Lake County Federation plans to take "several buses to the capital" to rally for increased revenue for education. The trip is scheduled for April 21, or around the time legislators are expected to be engaged in the process, which could play out through May.
The 96th General Assembly is slated to end its session on May 31.
Board approves layoffs for 560
Superintendent emphasizes $9.74M shortfall, not performance
March 19, 2010
By DAN MORAN <!-- e --><a href="mailto:dmoran@stmedianetwork.com">dmoran@stmedianetwork.com</a><!-- e -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/2111272,5_1_WA19_WAUKEGAN_S1-100319.article">http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... 19.article</a><!-- m -->
Around 560 Waukegan School District employees -- more than a quarter of the entire staff roster -- will receive notices soon that their jobs will be cut at the end of the current school year in the face of a $9.74 million budget shortfall.
The distribution of reduction-in-force (RIF) notices was approved by a 5-2 vote during Thursday's special Board of Education. Board members Domingo Garza and Rita Mayfield-Jedkins cast the dissenting votes.
Superintendent Donaldo R. Batiste said the notices would be distributed among teachers, custodial workers, secretaries, paraprofessionals and administrators.
"It is important to point out that their jobs would not be terminated because of their performance, but because of the projected shortfall of revenues needed to keep them in their positions," Batiste said.
The district previously stated that it is seeking $7.1 million in salary cuts to address the budget gap.
Batiste added that several different types of letters would be sent, including those that state the employee is subject to recall if funds become available following the end of the school year, which is June 4.
On March 9, Gov. Pat Quinn issued a budget address that forecast a $1.3 billion cut in education funds. While school districts across the state wait to see what if any level of new funding will emerge from the current legislative session in Springfield, the main reason the RIF notices were approved this week is that tenured teachers are legally required to receive them 60 days before the end of school, or April 1. For non-tenured teachers, the requirement in 45 days, or April 19.
The district has 2,200 employees, including 1,100 teachers. According to district officials, a little more than $100 million of the district's $160 million budget involves compensation.
Batiste reiterated that state funding isn't the only option when it comes to addressing the budget deficit, with the district asking employee unions to negotiate proposed givebacks that include furlough days, salary freezes and payment of a portion of medical benefits. Non-union employees and administrators have already had those measures implemented, and the district has also called for expanding classes by two students.
Asked about the status of discussions on givebacks, both Batiste and Lake County Federation of Teachers president Mike McGue said Thursday that there has been no recent activity.
"We have a good working relationship with our unions for the most part," Batiste said. "But the administration has reached out for such a meeting, (and) they have refused to come to the table with us."
"Things have stalled somewhat," McGue said. "We think they're operating on the fear -- which is not unfounded -- that the state's not going to make good on payment of revenues that are due ... But we think it's very premature to start looking in the crystal ball. Everybody's crystal ball is foggy right now."
McGue, whose organization represents about 1,700 employees in four bargaining units -- teachers, paraprofessionals, support staff and psychologists/social workers -- added that state education funding "is all in a big state of flux, and the district seems to want to make decisions based on what their estimates are right now."
Next month, McGue said, the Lake County Federation plans to take "several buses to the capital" to rally for increased revenue for education. The trip is scheduled for April 21, or around the time legislators are expected to be engaged in the process, which could play out through May.
The 96th General Assembly is slated to end its session on May 31.
