After months of taxing apprehension induced by California’s
massive state budget shortfall
– which placed educational resources and Gilroy teachers’ job
security on a dangerous ledge – painful decisions are being
made.
After months of taxing apprehension induced by California’s massive state budget shortfall – which placed educational resources and Gilroy teachers’ job security on a dangerous ledge – painful decisions are being made.
Before Thursday’s open session school board meeting at Christopher High School, the Gilroy Unified School District released service reductions recommendations on its website.
Resolution No. 10/11-36 advised the cutting of 31 full-time equivalent positions for kindergarten through eighth grade teachers among other service cuts.
While the vote took place after press time, Gilroy Teacher’s Association President Michelle Nelson did say a list of those receiving layoff notices has not yet been disclosed.
“That information will not be public for a while. So, you will have an idea of the positions, but not the actual persons.”
Administrators must adhere to a statutory March 15 deadline to announce layoff notices; a variable that’s placed a nagging time constraint on negotiations and decision-making.
And despite state-mandated deadlines for fiscal planning, everything is subject to change pending whether temporary tax extensions will pass in a June election.
Along with the resolution, the GUSD website also posted planned cuts for two possible fiscal scenarios.
One represents $2.8 million in necessary cuts if temporary tax extensions pass in a special June election. The proposed cuts on this first page exceed that target.
The second page lists a daunting $6.7 million in cuts; the sum that must be slashed if temporary tax extensions fail to pass.
Controversial items on the second page garnering considerable debate thus far include across-the-board salary cuts, class size increases and the possible elimination of elementary music and P.E. programs.
Resolution No. 10/11-36 states:
Whereas, the Superintendent of the Gilroy Unified School District (“District”), has recommended to the District’s Governing Board (“Board”) that the District reduce particular kinds of service no later than the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year;
Whereas, the recommendation includes the assessment that it shall be necessary to reduce the following particular kinds of service of the District no later than the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year:
– Kindergarten through eighth grade teachers: 31.00 full-time equivalent positions, also referred to as FTE’s
– District librarian at Gilroy High School: .40 FTE
– Teacher, independent study program: .40 FTE
– Regional Occupation Program funded vocational education teachers in the ninth through 12th grades: Protective and Security Services and Law Enforcement Occupations, 1.00 FTE; Clear Designated Subjects Vocational Education Teaching Credential, Commercial Photography, .20 FTE
Total FTE’s: 33.00
Check back for updates to this story.
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