Cuts, layoffs spark teacher protest
Previously approved salary increases to cabinet-level employees irked teachers when layoffs are part of the plan to cut $4.3 million in South San Francisco, a move protested by many at last night’s Board of Trustees meeting.
South San Francisco Unified School District is facing a $4.3 million budget deficit. Part of the tiered-cut approach includes increasing class sizes through teacher layoffs, losing arts programs and reductions in summer school programs. In January, the Board of Trustees approved salary increases for many higher district positions, a decision many took issue with last night as the district prepares to make large cuts later this year. In closed session last night, officials who were granted the increases agreed to have any increase during this school year returned to the district general fund — a move that caused applause. Despite this, there are concerns from teachers that the district does not have a united front when dealing with budget issues.
“Let the light in; let the sun shine on all the parts of our work together,” said Jan Speller, South San Francisco California Teachers’ Association president. “Come out from behind your PowerPoint slides and engage in a dialogue with us in a genuine, direct manner.”
Speller said the teachers are willing to work with the district to make instructional changes, but will be hesitant to make changes without trust and open dialogue.
South San Francisco is in the second year of program improvement, a designation given to a district under the federal No Child Left Behind program when test scores for some subgroups do not make goals. With this in mind, the district’s focus is education reform and aligning the finances with human resources, explained Ron Little, associate superintendent of business services.
South San Francisco is projecting a $71.3 million budget next year, a 5 percent decrease from last year, said Little.
Among the first $1.78 million in a tiered plan proposed to alleviate cuts includes reducing deferred maintenance contribution, reducing