Board counting on raise freeze as budget solution

By Neil Nisperos

Staff Writer

By freezing raises for employees, the Chino Valley Unified school board hopes to close in on filling a once gaping $33 million budget hole.

The district expects to save $5.2 million by approving a freeze on pay increases awarded to union members for earning supplementary degrees and longevity.

The Board of Education must approve a balanced budget by its meeting on Thursday to meet a San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools deadline. Teachers and classified workers have to agree to the freeze before a second county interim budget deadline on March 15.

"We talked about this being a unified school district and hopefully we can come together to make the sacrifices for the benefit of our children," board President Sylvia Orozco said.

Associated Chino Teacher's President Justine Cunningham said freezing salary would not be popular with the union.

"Anytime you freeze your step and column (pay increases), you're affecting your retirement and your overall salary," Cunningham said. "It's not a popular issue."

The school district and the California School Employees Association have to negotiate the freeze. Association President Fred Arroyo said he could not comment on the matter.

If union members don't approve the freeze, cost-saving measures that were debated in the summer -- including the elimination of school bussing -- could again be considered, Board of Education member Michael Calta said.

Board members also appear poised to implement a gradual class size increase at a savings of about $8 million over two years. The plan was proposed to start with a kindergarten student-to-teacher ratio of 24 to 1, first grade at 26 to 1, second grade at 28 to 1 and third grade at 30 to 1.

Board members said the ratios would be reduced with approval of the salary freeze. The new ratios are expected to be revealed at Thursday's board meeting.

Without a balanced budget, Chino Valley Unified faces a damaged credit rating and possible county fiscal oversight.

Interim Superintendent Wayne Joseph on Sept. 9 introduced about $26 million in spending cuts to the Chino Valley Unified school board.

Among the savings measures:

-- The board is also supportive of about $172,000 in savings achieved through the elimination of one teacher on assignment -- a district teacher responsible for ensuring the uniformity of curriculum throughout the district.

-- The elimination of the district's retirement dinner at an estimated savings of about 54,000 over three years

-- The elimination of progress to institute an Interbaccalaureate program at Ramona Junior High School and Briggs Elementary School.

The district's budget challenges are a result of large state education cuts stemming from California's fiscal crisis.

neil.nisperos@inlandnewspapers.com

(909) 483-9356