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Impact of layoffs agonizes district By DAMIAN MANN EAGLE POINT - The ripple effect from school district layoffs could impact from 76 to 89 employees involved in an agonizing "bumping" process that allows one person to take another's job. "It's like dominoes falling, but it's not as smooth as dominoes," said Carolyn Mead, co-chair of the Eagle Point Education Association. "It's also about people's lives." "It's been real difficult," said Superintendent Bill Jones. "There are so many individuals affected by this." But Jones and Mead differ in their calculations as to the impact on employees, underscoring the emotional toll sparked by the initial layoff of 71 employees to pare $1 million from next year's budget. Mead estimates that possibly 89 people will be affected, either through losing their jobs or being a part of a complicated bumping process that includes the drawing of straws to determine who will have a job. Jones said his calculations show fewer affected - about 75-76 employees - but feels that Mead's estimate in some ways reflects the emotional pain of this process. "I think there are some issues with employees about morale," he said. The district found itself in this financial predicament after years of using up reserves to pay the ever-increasing cost of education. This year, with reserves running out and expenses escalating, the district decided it needed to make cutbacks to offset a shortfall. With about 80 percent of the $26 million budget devoted to salaries, the district felt it had little choice but to cut staff. In a district with 530 employees, the reduction in staff has been devastating, resulting in 13 percent of positions cut. It calls for the elimination of many part-time jobs, 13 teachers and 49 educational assistants who help out in classrooms. It also means the loss of secretaries, custodians, a library aide and other staff. Jones said he calculates that permanent staff cuts include 47 instructional assistants, a half-time nurse and eight or nine support personnel. The remainder of the layoffs involve temporary employees. Mead said the process has been painful for everybody in the school district, from administration and teachers to secretaries and custodians. "Even if you haven't been bumped, you will be affected by this decision," she said. "If you cut off your finger, your whole body hurts." Many of the district's employees mistakenly believed their positions were secure once the cuts were announced, she said. "Everybody breathed a sigh of relief." But after spring break, employees quickly learned that someone with more seniority had the right to take their job, leading to confusing and emotionally charged situations. "They can't believe this is happening to them," said Mead. In one case, a clerical position was eliminated at the high school, said Jones. That person was then offered a job at an elementary school, which resulted in a different person, with less seniority, losing a job. Mead said other employees with the same seniority have to draw straws to determine who gets to keep a job in the district and who has to go. She said the district sends out letters to the affected employees, who then must wait five nerve-wracking days before the drawing of straws takes place. This process could continue through the summer as other employees quit. The district then must give the laid-off workers first rights to these jobs. "Over the summer there could still be changes," said Mead. "Now we have all of those people in the recall pool. People may still have an opportunity for a position in the district." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail dmann@mailtribune.com |
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