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Stafford School Board considers furlough policy Date published: 5/17/2010
BY JEFF BRANSCOME The Stafford County School Board is considering a policy for furloughing employees in the wake of state and local budget cuts. The School Board, however, is not anticipating furloughs in 2010-11, Vice Chairwoman Patricia Healy said in an interview. Next year's budget, which the board recently approved, doesn't include pay cuts. In fact, most employees will receive a step increase based on years of experience. "There is no discussion under way at all about a furlough in the coming year," Healy said. Member Ty Schieber said the policy is necessary "just because of the uncertainty we face going forward from a budget prospective." The School Board is scheduled to vote on the policy at its meeting May 25. It would allow the division to furlough employees for up to 10 days. Healy said she thinks the maximum number of furlough days should be reduced to five. "I think that would certainly allay some of the concern on the part of employees." At Tuesday's board meeting, Stafford Education Association President Jannette Martin said the group opposes the proposed policy. "When people signed a contract to work with Stafford County public schools, they knew how much money they were going to make--no more, no less," she said in prepared remarks. "To have the option to take money out of the pockets of loyal employees is a scary proposition for everyone involved." If the board implements the policy, she said, she thinks it should limit the number of furlough days to five per year. Martin said the policy should also require at least 45 days' notice of furloughs and include a method to deduct pay over several months--instead of in one paycheck--after consecutive furlough days. It should have an end date or be reviewed in the future as well "so that it will not be abused when the economy improves," she said. Jeff Branscome: 540/374-5402
Read more stories about Stafford Date published: 5/17/2010
per capita levels in Virginia, in the top 10. There are many
school systems in Virginia that fund at lower levels - and
they still meet the SOLS. That's a fact. Stafford provides far
more non-core academic things than these other schools
do. Each county decides how much they can afford to pay
for beyond the SOLs. Stafford can't decide apparently. I
find it interesting that those that want more - want someone
else to pay... like BPOL or the State. it's really about how
much you want to pay for in the end.
the tax rate had remained at 1.12 it would have cost the average taxpayer $85 and meant millions more in county coffers-don't know about you, but i'm willing to pay for quality services
the tax rate had remained at 1.12 it would have cost the average taxpayer $85 and meant millions more in county coffers-don't know about you, but i'm willing to pay for quality services
I am so tired of people complaining about waste when our schools are operating on a bare budget. Don't believe me, look into the day to day cuts that have taken place over the past 4 or 5 years. Ask a teacher how many copies they are allowed to make in a given grading period. Try asking a history teacher why the text books don't cover all that has happened in the past 6-7 years. Stop asking teachers and our kids to suffer because you think there is still waste to be cut. Wake up.
Fully funded at the allowable state rate the Stafford BPOL could have generated more than $8M per year.
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