Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2006 > November > 09 > Entry
Cuts, layoff details by Thanksgiving
There was a ton of education news yesterday and limited space in the jam-packed post-election Dayton Daily News. So I’ll try to post some of of the news that didn’t make it into this morning’s paper here today.
The most important news that was in my story for today but later cut out for space was a promise from both Percy Mack and Gail Littlejohn that whatever cuts are coming in January would be detailed no later than the week that schools break for Thanksgiving.
“I don’t want people going into the holidays not knowing if they have a job or not,” Littlejohn said.
This pushes back the timeline that Superintendent Percy Mack established on Oct. 25 when I quoted him saying administrators would have a revised cost-cutting plan in about two weeks, which would be right about now. The new deadline essentially gives administrators another two weeks.
Board President Gail Littlejohn reiterated to me that the board had something of a “eureka” moment during its Oct. 21 meeting when the plan for cuts was first detailed. That plan was crafted by administrators who were told to start with the assumption that all areas of district operations needed to find about 11 percent in cost reductions that could be implemented in January and then deeper cuts for the next school year.
Because academic programs are by far the largest portion of the budget, the cuts there were pretty painful, including eliminating teacher jobs, high school electives and sports teams. Toward the end of that first meeting, board members began asking about deep non-academic cuts that were in the plan for next year, such as job reductions in grounds, maintenance, food service and transportation. Some of these cuts would really affect service, like delaying maintenance response time for repairs and reducing mowing significantly.
Still, the board asked, could some of those cuts be moved forward to January to reduce some of the academic cuts?
Littlejohn said Wednesday that administrators are working to answer that question, trying to bring non-academic cuts forward to January wherever possible and practical and then trying to decide what academic cuts are highest priority to restore.
So that’s the latest from the board’s side on the January budget cuts. I’m certain teachers will be quick to point out that Mack’s first deadline for revising the cuts coincided with Wednesday’s contract vote by the teachers and now the new deadline pushes a decision back for two more weeks just as contract talks are about to resume.
I’ll have more on the labor talks and the district’s budget later today.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Categories: Dayton Public Schools
Comments
By Oldprof
November 10, 2006 10:33 AM | Link to this
Wish: have you paid attention to what happened when the state took over the schools in Cleveland? I doubt it—if you knew, you would prefer to be poked in the eye with a sharp stick. Susan Zellman is the problem, not the solution.By lou
November 9, 2006 7:29 PM | Link to this
Why, if teaches get a fair contract, do teachers have to be let go. With a 1:16 admin./teacher? Great then we will have a 1:14. Get the picture. They need to look into getting rid of non-building, non-needed positions.By Wish I hadn't . . .
November 9, 2006 4:11 PM | Link to this
It may be a good idea for the State to come in and oversee DPS spending. In all honestly, how many times can you peddle around the same mountain and not recognize familiar rode signs? Furthermore, if DPS was in financial straits, they should have been forward from the beginning. Teachers have families and financial obligations as well. And, with pending lay-offs, many teachers will have a difficult time finding full-time teaching jobs elsewhere since most staffs are set for the year.By Troubled in Dayton
November 9, 2006 12:28 PM | Link to this
DEA & Board negotiating teams: How about .5% Bonus/.5% raise and keep health care the same? That’s right in between what’s been talked about already so it can’t be too far off. Isn’t that finding common ground? I’m just a parent, but I’m trying to help instead of complain. Just get it done!By Mary
November 9, 2006 12:06 PM | Link to this
I noticed, Scott, you imply sports teams are now an “academic program”. What administrators will do to protect their sacred cows. What is not “academic”?By Troubled in Dayton
November 9, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this
Conspiracy or just common sense? I think anyone could or should figure out that what happens in the teachers contract DOES have an impact on how deep the cuts are in January. It just makes sense like it or not (and I know most don’t like it). The more they give teachers on this contract the deeper the cuts in January. Very unfortunate mostly for the DPS students and the new teachers with fresh ideas on education that will be on the losing end of this battle. The people doing the most complaining think little about that group of teachers. DPS teachers look across from you while you’re eating lunch. That person across the table may be gone come January. Push hard on the contract talks and two of them across the table could go away. This just stinks all the way around! No one is going to come out of this looking good if it doesn’t get resolved very soon. Get it together people and be smart about it instead of angry. Anger and finger pointing will get this process nowhere fast! Both sides are starting to sound like our federal government. A total lack of respect and desire to come together on issues. Happy Holidays…By Lou
November 9, 2006 11:43 AM | Link to this
Of course the timeline is set to negotations. What have the teachers been telling you all along.