CATAWISSA RR - It was an emotional meeting for many tearful students and taxpayers while they pleaded with the Southern Columbia Area School Board members Monday night to reconsider furloughing at least 16 employees and cutting four sports programs.
Staffing cuts that would help balance the district's $17 million 2012-13 budget include two music teachers.
Music "is my pride and joy," Rachel Gleeson, a junior from Cleveland Township, told the board. "Without it, I wouldn't have anything."
She was one of 24 people from a crowd of 80 in the high school auditorium who addressed the board for more than 90 minutes.
Brandy Drucker, of Locust Township, said, "It's easy to cut something you have no true knowledge of." If the board cuts two music teachers, there's no guarantee the quality of music programs won't suffer, she said.
She challenged board members to go one day without music.
"How many of you learned your ABCs without singing it? How many of you turn on the radio as soon as you get in the car?" she asked.
Many students held back tears while sharing why the programs and teachers are important to them.
"It breaks my heart," said Katie Dunkleberger, a junior.
Rising costs
When the budget process began earlier this year, Southern had a $1.2 million budget deficit. That has been trimmed to $900,000.
Cost-cutting measures were spawned by funding changes in Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed state budget. Plus, Southern needs to compensate for an increase of $250,000 in pension payouts, $200,000 more in health care costs, $275,000 in salary increases and $125,000 in building project debt. Also, fuel, maintenance and other operating costs have increased by at least $100,000.
If the furloughs and cuts remain when a final budget is OK'd by June 30, 16 employees will be out of a job and four will be demoted.
Furloughs planned layoff six professional employees, including the two music teacher positions, one full-time physical education teacher position, one part-time driver education/physical education position, one elementary teacher position and one art teacher position; four part-time instructional aide positions; a full-time instructional aide position; and the assistant athletic director position. Those cuts would save the district $576,000.
Elimination of four athletic programs - bowling with two coaches, golf with one coach, junior varsity football cheerleading with one coach and freshman football - are expected to save the district $47,000. The board tabled a resolution to save approximately $15,000 by furloughing nine assistant coaches various sports.
Also, the elementary guidance counselor, a Spanish teacher, a technology education teacher and a family and consumer science teacher were changed from full to part time.
Additional efforts to reduce the deficit include $337,000 in departmental supply cuts, tech and athletic budget reductions and using Act 80 days to have four-day student weeks in January and February. Additionally, several retiring employees would not be replaced.
Pay and benefit impact
Superintendent Charlie Reh said the current $17,139,351 budget, which was approved Monday night, doesn't account for pay freezes or health care plan changes. It also doesn't allow for exceptions in special education and retirement contributions, for which the state has granted the district the ability to tax $313,000 above the maximum rate of 2.2 percent.
The furloughs won't be needed if those items are implemented, Reh said.
However, the board cannot force employees to take a pay freeze, plus the teachers union voted to remain in the CS Trust for their health insurance and benefits instead of allowing the district to pursue alternative health care coverage that would reportedly save at least $200,000.
"I don't care if the union voted against it. We should change it," Director Eric Stahley said Monday night.
Solicitor Rich Roberts noted if board members go against the wishes of the union, a grievance or an unfair labor practice claim could be filed against them.
A new three-year contract approved in 2010 gave Southern teachers an average salary increase of 3.3 percent the first year, about $1,700 for the average teacher, 3.19 percent in 2011-12 and 3.09 percent in the coming school year. The teachers union voted not to take a pay freeze for 2011-12 or 2012-13. Southern's administrators agreed to freeze their salaries last year, but not for 2012-13.
Find options
It was suggested more than once by speakers Monday night that raising taxes or paying to participate in programs are better alternatives.
"I implore you to find more creative solutions," said Jayme Toczylowsky, of Numidia.
She suggested raising taxes to the maximum allowed by the state and abandoning the middle school concept.
She also challenged teachers to reconsider the health care coverage change.
Raising taxes is "a necessary evil," said Chris Brown, a shop teacher.
Not 'overnight'
After public comment, board members took a 5-minute recess. When they returned, board president Mike Yeager thanked everyone for voicing their concerns.
"All of us here have a vested interest. This hasn't happened overnight," he said.
He assured decisions being made were tentative and could change if better solutions are found by June 30.
Vice President Charlie Porter said he would be voting in favor of the cuts and furloughs for now.
"We can reverse this later on," he said.
The motion to approve the furloughs and cuts was made and seconded by Directors Timothy Vought and John Yocum. It was approved 5-1, with Director Eric Stahley voting no. Directors Richard Steele and Gail Zambor Schuerch were absent.