Decatur teachers get three furlough days

By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Decatur city schools officials voted to reduce the number of teacher workdays in the next school year.

In a 3-0 vote, the number of teacher workdays drops from 190 to 187, Marc Wisniewski, board vice chairman, told the AJC Thursday night.

The furlough days next school year are meant to help balance the budget.

The furloughs mean about a 2 percent reduction for most staff, Superintendent Phyllis Edwards said.

“I believe we’re taking the least destructive measures we can take,” Edwards told about 50 parents and teachers on Wednesday.

Paraprofessionals and school nutrition workers will not be furloughed.

The superintendent is also asking the school board to freeze salaries for employees.

The three furlough days will save the district about $345,000 in the fiscal year 2011 budget, which is $36.8 million.

Teachers have one furlough day this school year, but did receive a pay raise.

The cuts are necessary because of a decline of about $1.7 million in revenue for the 2,800-student district. Most of that is in state funding.

Employees also are likely to lose the money the district contributes toward their dental and life insurance, which is $6 per pay period. The cuts to benefits will save the district about $70,000.

“I’m trying to not cut programs or staff,” Edwards said. “Let’s try to absorb it across the board. There are no raises for me, no raises for anybody.”

The board will vote on the final budget in May.

Julie Hotchkiss, a mother of two Decatur High students, said she would like to see the board consider raising the millage rate.

“I’m disturbed by the inability of any elected officials to even put it on the table,” said Hotchkiss, a Decatur resident for 20 years. “Raising taxes is a bit more progressive than taking it out of the pockets of the lower paid.”

The board would have to raise Decatur’s property taxes by .4 mills to eliminate the teacher furloughs, which would mean about an extra $150 a year for Hotchkiss’ family.