WESTVILLE — Westville Schools managed to shave $62,000 from its budget, but Superintendent James Thorne says staff cuts are still likely.
Thorne and Indiana State Teachers Association representatives have come to a stalemate in the budgeting process, according to union leadership, with the union waiting for the administration to announce specific details of a proposed reduction in workforce.
The corporation faces a $210,000 shortfall despite eliminating instructional assistants, and Thorne says the only way to close the gap is by cutting teaching positions.
The administration told the union staff reductions could be limited if the teachers agree to open their current contract and waive their 2.9-percent pay increase for the 2010-2011 school year.
Thorne, however, said an exact number of positions cut with or without the teachers waiving their raises is unknown, but he did say the number would be between one and four.
“(Reductions) would be on the high end if they refuse to (forego their raises), and it would be on the low end if they forego their raises,” Thorne said.
The corporation would save $28,000 in the fall, and another $80,000 during the 2011 school year if the teachers agree to give up their raises.
Andy Borrelli, the Uniserv director for the Indiana State Teachers Association, said he’s still waiting to see the administration’s final plan before making any comments.
Thorne said all teachers considered for cuts will have to be notified by the week of April 12, and a final decision will be recommended to the School Board at its May meeting.
Thorne also said the corporation’s three administrators also would start paying into their health insurance programs at the same rate as teachers beginning this July. Previously, their health insurance was completely covered by the district.
The corporation also offered an early-retirement incentive, which one teacher agreed to take.
The district is planning to transfer funds from cafeteria profits to help pay a portion of utilities. The move could save the district $18,000 this spring and another $18,000 next fall, according to Thorne.
Other cost-cutting measures include shutting off lights when the building is not in use, reconnecting the security lights in the classrooms so they don’t remain on all night and changing the parking lot lights from dimmers to a timer so less energy will be wasted.
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