We continue to look for any and all reductions that we can make to our budget to minimize the impacts. This is NOT really possible at this point as we are in our 8th year of budget reductions. Obviously, there is less and less to find and we are a long way beyond just “improving efficiency.” We were pleased this past week (finishing this week) to bring site level stakeholders together to assist us with specific recommendations about what they see as possible areas to recover some dollars. Additionally, they provided us with information about what should we continue to hold as a high priority.
One of the ideas that many have forwarded to us over time, is the notion of employees taking “furlough” days or something similar. This is an item that is generally negotiable with our employee associations – and requires their concurrence. At our next Board meeting, with the concurrence of our management / confidential employees, there is a proposal to take an on-going workyear reduction of 5 days. With 92% of our budget wrapped up in “people” costs, it is good to see our colleagues digging in to do their part and help us work towards a balanced budget.
I think the furloughs are a necessary step. Surrounding districts are doing the same thing. It would seem necessary to include employees district wide to take furlough days. If everyone can give a little for the good of all it would seem to minimize the impact and protect jobs.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult for those of us who took cuts last year to be happy with taking another cut this year. The topic of furloughs SHOULD have been on the table last year - especially since the "experts" saw budget deficits coming for the next 3 years.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice that some of our colleagues will AGAIN be "digging in to do their part" to balance the budget!
I oppose any furlough days. You have already pink slipped 160 teachers, now furloughs and health benefit increases? What about the extra money that RUSD has compared to surrounding districts? I will be voting NO to furloughs and encouraging my colleagues to do the same. BTW I am on my lunch break writing this, what a nice way to spend lunch time---sarcasm dripping.
ReplyDeleteI am assuming that you are talking about management / confidential employees taking 5 budget cut (furlough) days. RCTA has had NO proposal to cut bargaining unit member days.
ReplyDeleteIt must be nice not to have to worry about job security or not know anyone affected by recent layoffs. I can tell you that when you have a certified envelope waiting for you at home or you have friends with ones, you tend to be more open to cost saving measures. Furlough being the best suggestion so far.
ReplyDeleteDr. Miller does not specify if furloughs are being considered to save teaching positions this year. Would people still vote against it even if it can save positions? absolutely!! What is ironic is the fact that laying off 160 teachers can potentially leave 5000 students without teachers. Those students have to go somewhere. Where? Well, that is an easy one to figure out. You think this is a nice way to spend lunch? wait until next year---sarcasm really dripping.
ReplyDeleteI am all for taking furlough days, IF it means saving jobs. I fear that we are looking at furlough days in addition to lay-offs, which is not an option in my opinion. Teachers are already spending hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars out of their pockets for their classrooms and students. We cannot afford a pay cut, unless we cut what we spend on our class. Students will already be in huge classes next year, yet now we are considering taking away 5 of their instruction days? How will it be possible to fit everything in with so many students in a class and with less days to teach? I also feel furloughs will not be cost-effective unless there is district-wide shut-down on those days. From what I hear, the days being considered would not be full-shut downs.
ReplyDeleteHow Can RCTA possibly refuse any furlough days? Many teachers are feeling that the UNION does not have our best interest. We need to all stop and look at our state and country..Will people be open to furloughs if the layoffs hit middle and high school? Other districts are taking furloughs..it must save money!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the above. I cannot possibly fathom a union that does not support furlough days to save teacher positions either now or in the future; especially teacher positions of those that will be members for the next 20-30 years.
ReplyDeleteI will not be voting for furlough days if that is ever proposed!! They have already laid off teachers, cut spending, etc. The district and/or the state does not have the best interest of students, teachers, etc in mind. I am sick of paying more and more! A few more dollars here for things we need in the classroom, a couple hundred dollars more for health insurance, now you are suggesting I take a few furlough days that translates to EVEN LESS money for me and my family. Unfortunately, I am not a wealthy teacher! I have a family to pay for and cannot afford to make less! I find it outrageous that people are questioning the union of the district website. This is exactly what drives a wedge between the bargaining unit and makes us weak. The union has a website, maybe that would be a better place to question the motives of our union, the teachers union.
ReplyDeleteThere hasn't been a PROPOSAL to our union for furlough days. How can you bash our union when they haven't even refused furloughs, which I HOPE they do!
ReplyDeleteIt seems as if the certificated union indeed is not speaking nor representing the voices of all the rank and file teachers. That in fact the veterans and newbies have differing interests. And it is true that if these differences were aired and resolved at the union level and in private the union could present a stronger more unified position. In fact if certificated and classified unions joined and spoke as one voice think of the power and negotiating position we would have. Even so, it seems like we are spinning our wheels and management is in a position of strength with time on thier side. Voice your opinions to your union reps and request they be heard. I have. It seems the current sticking point is management's treatment of reserves. Do the unions really have the power with unity of voice to lobby for the reduction of these reserves? Union members need to get off the fence and send their opinions loud and clear to our reps, but outside this public fourum.
ReplyDeleteI fear, like the above comment, that the furloughs are in addition to losing teachers, not to save teachers.
ReplyDeleteAlso, does the district know how angry it made many teachers to hear that 3 of the 5 days being considered were a prep day in August and the 2 elementary conference days? Many felt this was taking advantage of teachers who are already overworked. The feeling was that the district knows that teachers are going to find a way to prep their rooms and conference with parents regardless of if they are paid or not. They do it because it's what their students need. If we are taking furloughs, we at least want a true day off.
Why doesn't anyone ever ask for our input??
Furlough days should NOT be a consideration. Who suffers? Our students...they need to be in school. If we must lose days to instruction, then consider extending the school day. Instructional minutes are precious.
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