By Kristine Thomas
Finding a solution to the Silver Fall School District’s $2.1 million shortfall will require more than “yes” or “no” answers.
Around 100 people were divided into small groups – each with a principal and school board member – to brainstorm how they would resolve the funding shortfall.
Superintendent Andy Bellando gave a presentation on the history of the district’s budget, past and present staff and student numbers, how schools are funded and why the district – along with district’s throughout the state of Oregon – is facing a shortfall for the 2011-12 school year.
“We don’t have the money to meet the needs of the district,” Bellando said.
Community members, teachers, staff members and board members met in small groups to provide input on four questions: would they be in favor of adding furlough days; cutting staff; moving to a four-day school week or changing grade configurations of outlying schools.
Debating the pros and cons of each question resulted in more questions being asked.
Participants wanted to know what the cost savings would be of a four-day school week or changing grade configurations, which would be taking two outlying schools and making one a K-4 and the other a 5-8.
Teachers attending the meeting reminded community members any furlough days are subject to the approval of the classified and certified unions.
To balance the 2010-11 budget, the district used $500,000 of its reserve funds and took six furlough days, a non-paid day for all staff members. If the district closes school for a day, it saves $100,000.
Mark Twain Middle School teacher Donna Bahr said it’s difficult for teachers have days cut because it has an impact on the students.
“I am barely getting through all the curriculum now with the days that have been cut and I am worried it’s going to show on the test scores,” Bahr said.
Several parents said if the district were to have furlough days that they should be done all at once – like at the end of the year – rather than here and there.
“I think it affects my kids having choppy weeks,” parent Sarah Fronza said. “It’s hard to get in a rhythm.”
If given a choice between cutting staff or days, most participants agreed it would be best to cut days.
“I don’t think we can reduce anymore staff,” Eugene Field teacher Angi Miller said. “We need the adults we have in the classroom.”
According to a district report, from 2006 to 2011 there has been a 7.8 percent decrease in the number of teachers; 8.2 percent decrease in administrators and 20.4 percent decrease in classified employees.
There has been a 2 percent increase in students, with the current population at 3,692 in 13 schools. In the last six years, K-12 education funding has decreased from 44 to 39 percent of the state budget.
Bellando said the drop in funding, increase in PERS rates and other factors result in the anticipated $2.1 million shortfall.
Pay and benefits for 13 teachers equates to $1 million, according to a district report.
“We need to fund things differently,” Robert Frost teacher Dan Miller said. “We can’t keep giving up and giving up things for our students.”
Each school will present its budget beginning on April 7. For information, contact the district office at 503-873-5303.
