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
Email: jbranscome@freelancestar.com
Employees may not be required to take mandatory furlough days in excess of 10 days in any school year.
Employees are not permitted to perform any work on any mandatory furlough days. Employees are not permitted to use cell phones, e-mail accounts, BlackBerrys or any other method of communication related to their work on furlough days.
No paid leave or any type or compensatory time may be used for furlough days.
No employee shall be permitted to work in excess of eight hours in a day or 40 hours in a work week in which that employee is furloughed without the advance written approval of the employee's supervisor. Exempt employees shall be entitled to overtime pay for any hours worked in excess of 40 hours in any work week in which such employees are required to take a furlough day.
All exempt employees shall be required to keep a record of their time worked during any work week in which a furlough day is scheduled.