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Sunday, February 21, 2010

600 pink slips may be issued Elk Grove Citizen : News

Elk Grove Citizen : News

600 pink slips may be issued

By Citizen staff
Published: Friday, February 19, 2010 1:23 PM PST
Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD) Superintendent Dr. Steven Ladd announced at last Tuesday’s board meeting that he and the district’s six associate superintendents will take two furlough days this school year, five furlough days in the 2010-2011 school year, and a freeze in step and column salary increases in 2010-2011.

In addition to Ladd, the six affected are: Associate Superintendent of Elementary Education Donna Cherry, Associate Superintendent of Human Resources Glen De Graw, Associate Superintendent of Education Services Nancy Lucia, Associate Superintendent of Finance and School Support Richard Odegaard, Associate Superintendent of Secondary Education Christina Penna, and Associate Superintendent of Facilities Robert Pierce.

The action represents the conversation taking place in negotiations with the district’s labor associations.  The district has asked them to consider seven furlough days, a freeze in step and column salary increases, and a temporary cessation of the lottery check paid to employees each fall.

The superintendent and associate superintendents do not receive a lottery check. They are also not represented by a labor association.


Following Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s January budget proposal, EGUSD will need to cut $60.5 million to submit a balanced budget for the 2010-2011 school year to the Sacramento County Office of Education by July 1, as required by law.

Odegaard said the district in November took action to cut $42 million from the budget. Now they have identified another $13.5 million cut in the governor’s 2010-11 budget proposal and found another $5 million in reductions due to changes in the tax laws.

Ladd wrote a letter to all the district’s employees and said, “while many things may change as California’s budget moves through the legislative process, we must act on the best information available prior to the March 15 deadline. In light of the need to cut $60.5 million