Eastern Carver schools want to freeze pay for all staff

Many districts expect the worst as budget talks begin.

By AIMÉE BLANCHETTE, Star Tribune

Last update: March 11, 2009 - 12:13 AM

The Eastern Carver County School District, trying to plug a $5 million budget shortfall, is proposing a pay freeze for all employees next school year that would eliminate not only cost-of-living raises but also seniority pay increases and raises for additional advanced degrees or training.

The district is looking to save $1.66 million next year by freezing the wages and benefits.

The president of the Chaska Education Association union objected to the plan. "Built into the teacher's salary schedule is a promise ... that if teachers remain loyal and stay with the district, they will receive an increase in compensation," Tim Griffin said.

"The promise also includes that if the teacher furthers his or her education to improve their professional practice or eventually earn an advanced degree, they will receive an improvement to salary. The idea of a hard freeze breaks that promise."

Linda Dierks told the board last week that she returned to school to become a media specialist in Chaska. She was planning on recouping the $15,000 she spent to get her master's degree with additional pay she'd receive. "I was promised," she said.

"I get that we're in hard times and that people are losing their jobs, and I am grateful for my job," Dierks told the board. "Help us stay strong and excited. Let's work together to get this done."

The district will hold a community forum at 6:30 p.m. March 19 at the Chaska High School auditorium to get feedback on the budget. The school board is expected to take action on the budget proposal March 26.

A wage freeze would need to be negotiated with the district's bargaining groups. The Chaska Education Association is the only union that hasn't settled for the 2009-10 school year; the other bargaining groups would be asked to re-open their agreements.

"If it doesn't happen, since 73 percent of our budget is based on staffing, it's very likely it means a reduction in staffing," said district Finance Director Steve Pumper. "Since the largest percentage of our staffing is teachers, it's very likely some of those positions would be teaching positions, which then means an increase in class sizes."

School districts across the state are working through similar budget processes amid a growing state deficit expected to affect school funding. Here's a look at what's happening in other area districts:

Bloomington

The Bloomington School District is currently in a solid financial position with a positive fund balance, thanks in part to a referendum passed in 2007. But without an increase in state funds, the district faces a $3.5 million deficit in 2010-11.

Therefore, Bloomington is in the process of updating its financial plans. Staff and community members have identified nearly 600 ideas to either reduce spending or enhance revenues to help address a looming budget shortfall.

The proposed ideas, which range from eliminating the block schedule at the high schools to instituting a four-day school week, have been reviewed by a committee, and now the district wants feedback on the list. Staff, students and community members are encouraged to attend meetings this week. The list of ideas can be found at www.bloomington.k12.mn.us/budgetingforsuccess.

Delano

Delano's anticipated deficit for next year is $921,000. The district plans to use about $533,000 of its fund balance and reduce costs by about $388,000. The school board will get its first look at the plan for reductions at its meeting Monday. For more information, visit the superintendent's blog at suptslog.blogspot.com.

Edina

The Edina School District is projecting a funding shortfall of $1.75 million to $2.6 million next year. The district will reduce its budget by $1.75 million and consider ideas to generate new revenue, from increasing event admission prices to seeking more grants.

The district recently accepted budget suggestions from staff, parents and community members. Ideas ranged from offering more online classes for high school to limiting the use of overhead lights in rooms with natural light on sunny days. The school board will approve a budget in June.

Eden Prairie

Eden Prairie schools may experience up to a $10 million budget shortfall in the 2010-11 school year and are beginning reductions now in light of the state's deficit. The district has started to reduce spending and a committee is being formed to recommend potential future budget cuts. A survey is also being done to gauge community support for a possible referendum next fall.

Hopkins

The Hopkins school board approved the district's preliminary budget last week with more than $2 million in cuts. Half affect programs and services for students; the other half were made by shifting funding sources out of the general fund to other budget areas such as technology.

The budget includes a 2 percent cut in all categories, including elimination of some staff, an increase in maximum class size from 30 to 33 in grades four through six, and more efficient business services.

One of the proposed reductions -- eliminating fifth- and sixth-grade band and orchestra -- was removed from the final budget cuts after opposition from staff, parents and community members. Final approval of the budget will occur in May or June.

For more information, go to www.hopkins.k12.mn.us.

Osseo

Almost $15 million in cuts made to this year's budget will soften cuts for the coming school year in Osseo. Superintendent Susan Hintz has recommended cuts of $1.4 million in various services and supplies to avoid having to lay off teachers in the face of declining enrollment. Another $253,000 in cuts would come from other areas.

Richfield

The Richfield School District cut nearly $1.9 million from the current year's budget and doesn't plan any major cuts for next school year. The district will reduce its budget through efficiencies of approximately $80,000 to $100,000 next year.

Robbinsdale

In Robbinsdale, a decision to close three schools next year will allow the district to save $2.1 million a year. The district's successful levy referendum last fall has allowed it to avoid making further reductions for 2009-10.

St. Louis Park

St. Louis Park plans to reduce its budget by $633,000. Some of the actions being discussed include adding revenue through Other Post-Employment Benefit (OPEB) bonds, transferring dollars from the capital fund to the general fund, and receiving a contribution from the city of St. Louis Park to fund the police liaison position. Additional reductions are still being identified by the administration. The board will take action this spring.

Wayzata

The Wayzata School District is in the initial stages of budget development, but it is projecting a $2 million deficit for the 2009-10 school year. The district is working on solutions to address the budget gap, but is not anticipating large-scale budget reductions.

Aimée Blanchette • 612-673-1715

Staff writer Norman Draper contributed to this report.