Teachers OK Pay Cuts To Save Jobs
OUSD, OFT agree that teachers will take furlough day for $100,000 in budget deficits
By Linda Harmon
Not much has changed with the state’s budget impasse, which continues to freeze the local school budget process, but thanks to some local players our school district has seen signs of a thaw. Representatives of the local teacher’s union have come up with some new solutions to mitigate the bloodletting.
According to Ojai Federation of Teachers President Martha Ditchfield, she and Linus Raibys, the head of the Budget Committee, were able to obtain union approval for teacher wage concessions to help mitigate the anticipated upcoming budget cuts.
“After months of negotiating the teachers have come to a tentative agreement that if the governor and the state legislate (to allow cuts of) the five to seven school days we will agree to take them, not all at once, but one day at a time.”
The agreement is worded such that for every $100,000 in additional cuts the state mandates in the Ojai Unified 2009-2010 school year budget, the teachers will voluntarily give up one paid work day in their school year contract.
According to Ditchfield, the union membership is prepared to adjust their contract up to seven days. The greater the shortfall, the more the teachers are scheduled to give up in their 184 day contract. If the anticipated additional budget shortfall doesn’t happen the negotiated contract stands without the cuts.
“I have to credit Martha and Linus with drafting the language on this,” said superintendent Tim Baird. “They have worded it so that we have a range of possible solutions. It says if the state does this, then we do this … We have been able to hire back 16 teachers because of the furlough.”
Ditchfield said it isn’t an easy choice.
“We worked it out so it’s not an all-or-nothing thing,” said Ditchfield, who has appeared on local news programs and been contacted by other union officials wanting to know about the precedent-setting agreement. “It’s a half of percent of salary per day and people have families to support … Every body said we should wait and taking a pay cut is really hard for everybody, but I can’t look those teachers in the face and say I’m going to keep one and a half percent and you have no job.”
Baird told the board he had hoped for greater clarity from the governor’s office at last Friday’s budget conference, but “unfortunately, the state is still in a fairly large mess.” He said the agreement reached with the union is the one bright spot in the budget. The district is now only looking at cutting three full-time teachers from the larger elementary schools, and maintaining a 22-to-1 K-3 class size across the district. If the situation worsens, Baird laid out a fall-back position using the contract concessions to limit teaching staff cuts of seven and a half full-time positions and a 25-to-1 K-3 class size.
“At that point the state better be in a better place,” said Baird. “If we were only dealing with declining enrollment, after retirements, we probably would be able to retain all our employees.”
Baird then discussed the big “bad surprise” on Friday, the cutting of 65 percent of the state school transportation budget that includes funds for special education transportation that is state mandated.
“We’re losing $300,000 out of a $500,000 budget,” said Baird. “The question is, what are we obliged to do? If we used all of that remaining money we could almost pay for special education transportation.”
According to Baird, he is especially concerned about the Upper Ojai area students getting to junior and senior high schools because they have the farthest to travel.
Baird said he found the governor’s actions ironic.
“We have a man who is saying he is an ‘environmental’ governor taking school buses off the road and putting thousands of vehicles on the road in their place,” said Baird. “I don’t think the green organizations have caught up with this yet. People need to know about this and should be calling the governor.”
In earlier business OUSD voted to maintain the school resource officer for the remainder of the Nordhoff school year. Concerns were raised that the district was paying for what is perceived as a public safety issue during this time of dire budget constraints.
While Pauline Mercado called the expenditure “a compelling priority,” some did not seem to agree. Kathi Smith stated she believed the goal should be to move away from paying non-educators and mentioned that the Thousand Oaks police had opened up a substation in the Thousand Oaks Mall in return for free space.
“Why can’t we do that here?” said Smith. “We could donate space at Nordhoff.”
Steve Fields asked that the board consider bringing the issue back in the fall after doing more research, but more discussion followed.
“I was a teacher for years and I worked with these officers and they did a wonderful job,” said Board President Linda Taylor, but she also pointed out that the whole $90,000 school budget for elementary physical education will be cut. “I see that these officers have a lot to offer, but we are faced with hideous choices. I can’t say that these funds are better spent on a SRO.”
After final comments the board voted to instruct staff to pursue a contract with the city for 2009-2010. The OUSD estimate for the SRO officer is $84,000, but it varies year to year based on what the city pays and what the Ventura County Sheriff bills. There is as yet no written contract with the city.
Does this mean that the yearly step increases for the teachers will be affected by the Union agreement?
anonymous
11 Jun 09 at 4:17 pm
If the SRO officer makes $84,000 a year, why should the teachers who probably make half of that take a pay cut.
Anonymous
11 Jun 09 at 8:28 pm
She doesn’t make that much.
teacher
12 Jun 09 at 6:52 am
It is not a true pay cut, they are working less days and getting paid only for the days that they work. A true pay cut would be working the same number of days for less money. This idea of saving all the teachers by taking collectively less pay sounds like the first steps to socialism in the educational system.
anonymous
12 Jun 09 at 7:54 am
It is a sad state of affairs to ask our educators to give up a day. According to the retirement systems policy, the teachers will have to work longer for every day they lose before they can retire or earn their benefits. I am gratefully humbled by any employee that is willing to give up a day, week or month for the good of others. I would like to see the high district positions follow suite. The cut is a District Thing, not just school teachers and office staff. Soon the County of Ventura will also emplement this same technique.
parent of 'the system'
12 Jun 09 at 9:02 am
If teachers agree to cuts, we are socialists, and if we do not, we are greedy and selfish As far too many of our neighbors already know, this is a very difficult time to be out of work. With so many districts in the state laying off teachers, it is hard to find teaching positions that do not involve a major move for the family. This was not an easy decision for many teachers to make, as our pay is already low compared to similar districts throughout the state (Oxnard pays $10K – 20K more per year). Teachers have “given up” things for our students for many years now – paying for supplies and staying after hours to work with students who need more help. It is not a huge leap to make a sacrifice for our colleagues, but it is inevitable that some, such as a particularly disdainful school board member, will take this as evidence that teachers were making more than they needed to begin with. This DOES cause hardships for many people – especially for part time teachers and classified employees, but it was the most reasonable out of a set of distasteful choices.
another ojai teacher
12 Jun 09 at 9:30 am
It doesn’t sound like ‘the first steps to socialism’ to anyone with common sense you right wing wacko. Ahhh!!!!! Watch out for the ‘socialism’ – its EVERYWHERE! Gang meeting in town? Socialists! Film at NHS? Socialism! Oh no! Geeeeeeeze.
anonYmous
12 Jun 09 at 11:00 am
They already make too much. This is just a real world adjustment. Everybody knows that teachers are overpaid. Who else enjoys a three month vacation?
Anon.5
12 Jun 09 at 11:23 am
Anon.5 you always manage to prove your own ignorance…
ann on a moose
12 Jun 09 at 12:20 pm
They don’t make THAT much, especially as much as you ‘anonymous five.’ I also hear they don’t have ‘three month vacations’. If you’re that worked up about these public servants, maybe you should complain about the overtime law enforcement gets paid or the high pay of our fire fighters. Maybe everyone should just home school their children, women will look after them and the anonymous five men of the world will work, right? And you’ll tote your shotgun on your arm as you ride your wagon into town for molasses.
Pool Cleaner
12 Jun 09 at 12:28 pm
anonYmous @ 11:00am – it may not be socialism but it is collectivism. You impugn your own credibility by throwing insults.
Anonymous
12 Jun 09 at 12:52 pm
Pool Cleaner,
You are absoulutely right about overtime and firefighter pay. I’ve been saying that for years. I agree with the old west reference. If you want your children to go to school, pay for it yourself. Maybe if we didn’t have such a wacked out public education system, we wouldn’t worry about the state going bankrupt. Close the fire department for that matter. By the way when was the last time a house burned down?
Anon.5
12 Jun 09 at 1:11 pm
The furloughs are district-wide. The classified employees (secretaries, maintenance, etc.) ratified a similar proposal last wee, and management will be taking the furloughs as well. It is not true that teachers have a 3-month “vacation”. We have a 184 work day contract. It is true that this gives us more “days off” than most people have, but these are not paid vacation days – more like seasonal work.
another ojai teacher
12 Jun 09 at 2:05 pm
Anon.5 “when’s the last time a house burned down”…?
Been to Santa Barbara lately, Dumbass?
ann on a moose
12 Jun 09 at 3:22 pm
Ann on a noose,
So rich jerks build houses in firezones and struggling taxpayers have to subsidize their protection?
Anon.5
Anon.5
12 Jun 09 at 3:54 pm
Anon.5 you are such a bitter, bitter person.
ann on a moose
12 Jun 09 at 4:30 pm
These cuts will lead to greater responsibility for the PTO’s to fund everyday school site expenses. Parents be prepared to help when asked. Thank you.
Anonymous
13 Jun 09 at 8:18 am
Could the district charge for transportation and give PE credit to kids who ride their bike or walk to school?
anonymous
15 Jun 09 at 7:50 am
How long will this last before the whole house of cards falls apart.
Will teachers continue to work for less and less until they get nothing except an iou or a voucher?
As the class room size swells up until standing room only.
I wonder what the excuse will be when they do start cutting jobs after the pay cuts to save jobs fails?
Watch before YouTube removes it again!!!
Fault Lines extra – California voices – Teacher & community organiser
http://sunshinereview.org/index.php/California_state_budget
Inflation is here silver is being used for transactions in California 6/12/09
George4title Last Vid. (Silver for groceries now being accepted.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo1hX-QMQy0&feature=channel_page
Miami-Dade Camp Muster – Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/user/bubba008009
Watch George pay for groceries with dimes 90% silver
still worth more than the paper in you wallet!!!!
$19.21 total amount due for goods
$19.34 tendered 49.6 grams in silver about $2.50 in dimes
$00.15 change 3 nickles
Hyperinflation in action on paper bills
The k is for captain insano
15 Jun 09 at 11:11 am
No wonder you look like you’re always carrying a load in the back of your pants: It must be all the change you lug around.
Anon.5
15 Jun 09 at 12:00 pm
Snappy come back troll 5
Good thing you still make your money on the street corner.
The k is for captain insano
15 Jun 09 at 1:35 pm
OVN please do us all a favor and delete Anon.5.
Anonymous
15 Jun 09 at 6:05 pm
Superintendent Tim Baird ($132,000 yr.) killed our
district and children. Have fun at the beach in San
Diego ($203,000 yr.)!
trailer park trash
17 Jun 09 at 9:59 am
Yes, in the public educational system, failure is its own reward. Never have so many done so little and made so much money.
anonymous
17 Jun 09 at 11:37 am
The TRUTH Behind the Total Collapse of the U.S. Economy
http://www.clipser.com/watch_video/1319891
The k is for captain insano
19 Jun 09 at 1:10 am
Chemical dumbing down of American’s
http://www.clipser.com/watch_video/1317267
The k is for captain insano
19 Jun 09 at 1:20 am
Tim made over $195,000 with perks and related costs. How much income reduction did the BRASS take? None, just teachers, what a load.
Anonymous Ray
19 Jun 09 at 7:48 am
kaptain insano can now just post UNRELATED links? Whats next advertisements? MAKES OVN LOOK BAD, DID YOU SCREEN THE WEBSITE?
Concerned Doug
23 Jun 09 at 7:36 pm
“kaptain insano can now just post UNRELATED links? Whats next advertisements? MAKES OVN LOOK BAD, DID YOU SCREEN THE WEBSITE?”
Concerned Doug
23 Jun 09 at 7:36 pm
Unrelated ?
You telling me that my opinion is unrelated makes yours unrelated too.
corruption is everywhere.
The links are part of the opinion.
Hey: Concerned Doug
Are you going to censor the whole world?
Mr.smith
23 Jun 09 at 10:18 pm
Just try to stay on topic. It is actually a simple request. There are lots of blogs that can address these other topics.
anonymous
24 Jun 09 at 8:11 am
Anonymous,
Mr. Smith makes his living staying off topic. That is how he was able to retire. He convinced the government he is insane in order to collect welfare stamps.
The topic is pay cuts. At least the teachers do something in order to earn their spot at the government trough. Mr. Smith, on the other hand, sits and plays checkers with his gut hanging out his unbuttoned shirt while slurping fortys at Libbey Park.
Let’s face it, and I repeat, who else gets three months off out of the year? I am sick and tired hearing how underappreciated teachers are when they sip pina coladas at the local pool while the taxpayers work.
Anon.5
24 Jun 09 at 5:28 pm
they are not paid for 3 months out of the year and many seek summer jobs
support teachers
24 Jun 09 at 7:11 pm
Anon5 thinks you are all idiots and are incapable of clicking on the link and deciding for yourself.
Anon.5
24 Jun 09 at 9:05 pm
So teachers are seasonal workers who should not get benefits?
anonymous
25 Jun 09 at 1:38 pm
They should be volunteers, same with police and fire. I am sick and tired of everyone sucking off the government teat.
Anon.5
25 Jun 09 at 3:46 pm
Anon 5! I agree!
Snes
25 Jun 09 at 10:21 pm