Claremont teachers seek means to avoid furloughs, layoffs
Author: Wes Woods II, Staff Writer
CLAREMONT - Claremont Faculty Association bargaining chairman Joe Tonan contends the union has a plan to address Claremont Unified's budget woes - and it doesn't include furloughs or layoff notices.
The school district should dip into its reserves, seek community donations or even put a parcel tax on the ballot, Tonan said.
"Furloughs to us mean shortening the school year for students," he said. "We see no reason to shorten the school year for students. And we see no reason for increasing class sizes."
The school district should dip into its reserves, seek community donations or even put a parcel tax on the ballot, Tonan said.
"Furloughs to us mean shortening the school year for students," he said. "We see no reason to shorten the school year for students. And we see no reason for increasing class sizes."
Claremont Unified Superintendent Terry Nichols said Tonan's plan was not considered new or different.
"It's all negotiations," said Nichols, who refused to provide a specific comment on the union's plan.
The district has to close a $6.7 million gap in its budget by the end of the 2011-12 school year. According to union officials, the district is considering an increase to K-3 classes from 24 students per teacher to 30 to 1, which would save $405,000 a year.
But if the $405,000 in funding is found in each of the next two years, the class size can be preserved and the district's budget would be balanced with a 3 percent reserve for economic uncertainty, teachers union officials said.
This funding amount can be found in an additional amount of $444,405 in reserve money originally designated in a future budget, which could be used in 2010-11, according to union officials.
Claremont Unified in 2011-12 can use community donations, a possible bond or parcel tax, and anticipated federal money to balance its budget, union officials said.
District officials are conducting a survey to gauge public support for a possible parcel tax or bond.
Nichols expressed caution about cutting into the district's declining reserves.
"By the end of 2012, we'll be down to the amount mandated by the state - the 3 percent reserve for economic uncertainty," he said. "As we talk about reserves, we're deficit spending every year. We'll be deficit spending through 2012.
Tonan provided the union's proposal at the April 1 school board meeting in reaction to a proposed district furlough plan. Nichols requested that each district employee take six furlough days.
"We have specifically explained at the bargaining table that we believe that if every person in the district were to take six furlough days next year, we could avoid any employee in the Claremont family losing their job," Nichols said earlier this month.
Union and district officials will meet Wednesday for additional contract negotiations.
Claremont Unified has already reduced or eliminated adult education classes and summer school classes.
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