A day after learning that their salaries may be cut by up to 6.25 percent, teachers and administrators in DeKalb County received a second letter from the school board saying the initial contract they received was in error.
The language included in the initial communication was based on the 2010, rather than the 2011 contract, according to a letter sent Tuesday by Tekshia Ward-Smith, the district's chief human resources officer on behalf of superintendent Cheryl Atkinson.
"The superintendent intends on recommending to the Board of Education at a minimum the same number of work calendar days for 2013 as worked in 2012," the letter read. "Please know that the superintendent does not intend to take a recommendation to the Board with any additional reductions in pay from the current work calendar."
School district spokesman Walter Woods said their communication with employees explained that salaries would be "adjusted" after the school board approves the budget.
"This has been the standard practice for the last three years," he said.
DeKalb has delayed approval of a budget, which was to be voted on in April. The system has released details about plunging revenues but has not given an official figure on any deficit.
But school board budget chair Paul Womack has said he believes there is a $77 million deficit.
Teachers were dismayed about the possible reduction in pay, said Dave Schutten, president of the Organization of DeKalb Educators.
"There was no prior warning," he said Monday.
"Most people understand there's got to be a $70 million budget cut," he added.
On Friday, the school board voted to cut 133 school-based positions, saving the district $9.3 million.
Those being terminated -- teachers, assistant principals, graduation coaches and graduation specialists -- will receive notices in a May 11 mailing, sent out four days before the district is required by state law to inform teachers whether their contracts will be renewed.
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