4J employee groups respond to proposed cuts

Presenter: Employee groups respond as Eugene’s 4J school district proposes budget cuts of $25 million. About half the cuts would come from shrinking the staff, by ‘opting not to fill vacant positions and taking advantage of planned retirements and resignations.’ The district hopes to avoid involuntary layoffs by shifting staff members to different schools, programs, and roles.

One employee group asked for parity, questioning the need for seven assistant superintendents. At the school board meeting March 5, Sabrina Gordon:

Sabrina Gordon (EEA): My name is Sabrina Gordon and I am president of the Eugene Education Association. I want to start with a shout-out to our classified colleagues who are absolutely vital to student success and are greatly appreciated by EEA members.

[00:00:47] Staff in buildings got difficult news today. Every school is facing cuts that will impact individuals and our collective efforts to support students. These cuts are based on a budget that proposes $25 million in reductions while 4J continues to sit on an enormous reserve account.

[00:01:06] One common question in response to news of reductions is: Where’s the parity in cuts to top-level administrative staffing? As schools receive news about the loss of licensed and classified positions in buildings, positions that directly support students day in and day out, we are not yet hearing about how the district office is absorbing any of the planned reductions.

[00:01:30] In fact, an item for action in your consent agenda tonight includes a list of personnel actions. That list shows the renewal of seven assistant superintendent level positions. Seven! Does a district the size of 4J require seven positions at the level of assistant superintendents? Why would we remain so heavily staffed at the seniormost levels during a time of budget uncertainty?

[00:01:59] Will the board pause to think about this personnel action the same day that staff at each school across the district received news of cuts in their buildings?

[00:02:08] I want you to imagine what it was like in schools today as staffing news spread. It’s important to acknowledge the strength of our educators who can receive such unsettling news, have no time to process information throughout the day, cannot step away from a classroom for a bit to cry, and are facilitating constant demands to meet the needs of students. These educators have spectacular spirit and strength in the ways they show up for kids.

[00:02:36] I want to acknowledge, too, the principals in buildings who are tasked with delivering this very difficult news. They do their best to have these conversations with heart and humanity for the people impacted.

[00:02:47] Some licensed groups of staff, including our TOSAs or Teachers On Special Assignment who are not school-based, are still waiting for information about cuts and bracing for the worst. They’ve been told they have to wait until next week because several district directors are out of town at a conference.

[00:03:07] Presenter: Lisa Jenkins-Easton:

[00:03:09] Lisa Jenkins-Easton (OSEA): My name is Lisa Jenkins-Easton from Oregon School Employees Association, Eugene Chapter 1 President and OSEA Zone IV Director.

[00:03:17] A few weeks ago the board voted to increase reserves by 3%. Maybe this board isn’t required to have a public hearing on this decision, but given the communication of care expressed by leadership, it should have been a transparent, planned vote and clearly stated in the agenda. Your stakeholders need to see that you value the importance of making an attempt to ensure that staff and community are heard.

[00:03:42] Our most vulnerable colleagues who experience food insecurity, housing insecurity, and real fear for the future attended staff meetings today to inform them that FTE will be cut. The concerns are flooding in to me. The impacts of moving staff around is also going to destabilize our system. Connections and care of trusted adults will vanish for many of our students.

[00:04:12] The day after the board voted, staff also received an email with a preview of your well-intended news articles for two of our local news publications. I am compelled to share that your vote to increase reserves and your public news cycle comments are not in alignment. The optics are bad.

[00:04:33] Classified staff are your most diverse group of employees, not only based upon protected status, but also being the most financially insecure. How could you not realize these are the same staff that you expressed concern for in the news articles? Their children attend our schools and they are the most likely to feel financial impacts from changes at the federal level to reduce their access to programs that help them sustain their ability to work and send their children to our schools.

[00:05:03] It was a careless, elitist decision.

[00:05:07] Our actions must match our stated values and I’m deeply disappointed… So today, during the middle of Classified Employees Week, I can’t say that my members feel very appreciated by the districtwide staff meetings that happened today.

[00:05:27] I would like to know exactly how many millions of dollars you voted to save rather than retain valuable staff and continue to fill open classified positions that are desperately needed…

[00:05:40] Lastly, I want to shout out appreciation to all of our classified staff for their hard work and commitment to our students and to supporting their colleagues during this difficult time. Our union brothers and sisters continue to fight for our values of protecting our jobs even when our employer is not.

[00:06:02] Presenter: One school board member asked the others to discuss the personnel action. Maya Rabasa:

[00:06:09] Maya Rabasa (4J school board, member):I would like to pull that personnel action, not because I want to not move forward on it, but just so that we can maybe learn a little bit more before we make that decision.

[00:06:21] Presenter: The motion went to a vote. Tom Di Liberto:

[00:06:24] Tom Di Liberto: All right, we have ayes from, Maya Rabasa, Ericka Thessen, and Jenny Jonak. All those opposed: Four nays from Judy Newman, Rick Hamilton, Tom Di Liberto, and Morgan Munro.

[00:06:38] Presenter: In response to a question from Sabrina Gordon:

[00:06:41] Sabrina Gordon (EEA): Will the board pause to think about this personnel action the same day that staff at each school across the district received news of cuts in their buildings?

[00:06:50] Presenter: A majority of the 4J school board says no, we will not.

[00:06:54] What do you think? Between now and adoption of the final budget in late May, you’re invited to learn more and share your thoughts. The budget committee will hold an informational meeting Tuesday, March 11 at 6 p.m. For more information, see the 4J website.