August 23
Happy Monday as we start the third week of school! I wanted to share some budget information with you, but I wanted school to start first. Hopefully, you will have more time to absorb the information now that a couple of weeks have gone by. You may recall from last year that in order to minimize other budget and staffing reductions, the Governing Board approved two furlough days for 2010-2011 if they are necessary. For your planning purposes, WESD may need to take a furlough day on November 26, 2010 (day after Thanksgiving). If necessary, a furlough day means that all employees will not be paid for November 26, 2010. We will revisit the budget daily as well as determine how Arizona will utilize the Education Jobs Bill funding from the federal government. If we find that we do not have to take the furlough day, we will offer a recommendation to the Governing Board on October 28, 2010 . The second furlough day is scheduled for March 18, 2011. We will analyze the budgetary need for each furlough day before any decisions are made and communicate those decisions to you.
We are all aware that, unfortunately, schools absorbed budget reductions last year and we know you feel the impact of those reductions. Similarly, last year, the Administrative Center departments reduced budgets by $1,626, 902.00. The following reductions mean that there are fewer people doing the same amount or even increased amounts of work with fewer resources. You may recall that we felt it was important that departments reduce as much as possible to preserve as many resources as possible at the schools.
The District has implemented cost-saving changes such as email-only direct deposits and energy savings strategies, among others, in an effort to continue to operate as efficiently as possible with less staff and less resources. We will continue to develop additional cost-saving strategies as we move forward and we believe the measures we have implemented will continue to be cost-effective in coming years. Your participation in and support of these strategies is important to their success.
The following reductions were made among the departments:
Reductions in Staffing 27.51 FTE $ 525, 699.00
- 27.51 administrative, classified, and certified positions, such as clerical assistants, bus drivers, administrators, project managers, psychologists, field technicians, office and technical support, payroll and purchasing personnel, and operational support personnel (e.g. warehouse, security, and transportation).
Reductions in Other Resources $1,101,203.00
- Stipends and substitutes for overtime, extended year instructors, and professional duty days
- Purchased Services such as service agreements, outside contracted legal services, consulting contracts, outside tuition, outside contracted personnel for special education, outside contracted transportation services and repair services
- Office Supplies
- Dues and Fees, Postage, and Conference Travel
- Benefits (as staffing is reduced, the amount budgeted for benefits is also reduced)
I hope you find this information useful. Most certainly, we all hope for a better fiscal year. Thank you.
Susie Cook
May 20
IBN's best case budget scenario, approved by the Governing Board on April 8, 2010, if Proposition 100 passed and Governor Brewer signed SB 1284 (and she did) includes the following reductions. Our student enrollment loss was not as great as anticipated, resulting in some additional revenue. An override correction bill also provided additional revenue that we did not anticipate when IBN started the budget process.
Department Cuts $1.6 million
Increasing Class Size Further by .6 (point 6) $1.9 million
Savings from Common Dismissal $250,000.00
Administrative Cuts $300,000.00
Two Work Furlough Days for all Employees $1 million
Continuation of Stipend Reductions that were in place for 2009-2010
Elimination of Gradual Entry for Kindergartners during the First two Weeks of School
Please note that NO SALARY REDUCTION
WILL BE REALIZED IN THE BEST CASE SCENARIO.
May 19
With the majority of precincts reporting in, Proposition 100 has passed! Congratulations to everyone who worked to make this happen. Thanks to individuals, groups, school-based efforts, SOSAz, WDEA, and AEA for their significant contributions. In WESD, contracts will be delivered this morning to those teachers who were RIFFED. Our best case budget recommendation that was approved by the Governing Board on April 8, 2010 will now go into effect. I will remind every one about the best case a bit later. For now, let us enjoy the voter outcome. Thank you.
Susie Cook
May 5
I just received this information if you are interested. The following event is scheduled for tomorrow night: The Arizona's Sales Tax Referendum Town Hall: A Demonstration of Civil Dialogue and Discussion.
This event will open with an objective, non-partisan explanation from Peter Burns about the state budget and how the outcome of the sales tax vote on May 18, 2010 will affect Arizona. Then all participants will join in round table discussions to share ideas, and learn from one another about this important issue facing our state.
Event Details
Thursday, May 6
6:00pm - 9:00pm
AE England Building, Civic Park Space
424 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Register online at - http://www.projectcivildiscourse.com/
This event is free and open to the public. This event is also being televised by COX Communications.
April 28, 2010
Frequently Asked Questions, prepared by Chris Thomas, legal counsel for the Arizona School Boards Association.
April 14, 2010
In February, at the outset of my providing the Budget Bytes, I indicated that I would schedule meetings to summarize the budget issues for anyone who would like to attend. Three meetings have been scheduled as follow:
April 19 4:30 p.m. Mountain Sky Junior High, Cafeteria
April 20 4:30 p.m. Administrative Center, Navajo Room
April 21 4:30 p.m. Ocotillo School, Cafeteria
You are welcome to attend any of the three meetings that is convenient for you. I will summarize the following information:
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Best case scenario if sales tax passes
-
Worst case scenario if sales tax does not pass (dollars only; options not yet completed by IBN or Governing Board)
-
Rationale for the RIF and Non-Renewal of Administrative contracts
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Notification Procedures that begins on May 19, 2010
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What employees can do and cannot do legally with regard to ballot initiatives, e.g. Prop 100
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Answer any questions
April 6, 2010
IBN met last evening and spent a great deal of time trying to improve the best case scenario if the sales tax passes on May 18, 2010. By maximizing both the K-3 Override and Title I budgets, IBN will recommend the following reductions to the Governing Board:
Best Case Reductions if Sales Tax Passes
Department Cuts a minimum of $800,000.00
Increasing Class Size Further by .6 (point 6) $1,900,000.00
Savings from Common Dismissal $250,000.00
Administrative Cuts $300,000.00
Work Furlough Days by Employee Calendar $3,800,000.00
193-Day Calendar 7 days*
208-Day Calendar 8 days*
220-Day Calendar 8 days*
227-Day Calendar 9 days*
261-Day Calendar 10 days*
Please note that NO SALARY REDUCTION
IS RECOMMENDED IN THE BEST CASE SCENARIO.
*It may be possible to reduce the number of furlough days even further if the Legislature takes just one specific action regarding overrides. The best case scenario includes a REDUCTION OF TWO ADDITIONAL FURLOUGH DAYS for each employee group if this happens, e.g. reducing 7 days to 5 days; 8 days to six days, etc. We may not know the this outcome for a bit of time.
Worst Case Scenario if Sales Tax Does Not Pass
IBN members will continue to meet to plan for the worst-case scenario that will occur if Proposition 100 is not approved by voters on May 18, 2010. The worst case scenario includes up to an additional $6 million in reductions. IBN has already spent significant time trying to generate ideas to accomplish the worst case scenario. Their work is not done.
Retirement Incentive
February 1 was the deadline for employees to indicate their intention to retire and to benefit from a buy-out of their leave if the conditions of the Board policy are met. We will extend that deadline to April 30, 2010 if that will assist people with their decision-making.
Please contact Justin Wing in Human Resources, 602.347.2801, or by e-mail at justin.wing@wesdschools.org for more information.
March 30, 2010
Because I was able to speak directly to the majority of the third year teachers on Monday through BEGIN, it is not necessary for those folks to return to a District meeting this week. Therefore, we are thinking that we would only host meetings on Wednesday and Thursday at 4:15, allowing folks to have a free Friday afternoon. Let me know if this poses a problem for you.
Many questions have been asked recently about a variety of budget issues. The majority of questions that I have received in the last couple of days have been focused on the One Cent Sales Tax Election. The following information is provided to assist with answering those questions.
The AZ legislature has approved putting Proposition 100 on the ballot in a special election on May 18th. It will ask the citizens of Arizona to tax themselves an additional 1 cent on every taxable dollar spent.
Prop 100 increases the sales tax by 1 cent for 3 years. By law 2/3 of the revenues go to education and 1/3 goes to public safety/health and human services.
By law, the tax will automatically end on May 31, 2013. It would take a 2/3 vote of the legislature or another voter initiative to keep it in place.
WESD will make reductions even in the best case scenario in the event that the sales tax passes. WESD will be cut by $14 million if the sales tax does not pass.
Because this is one of the most frequently asked questions that I have received, to register to vote and/or to request an early ballot, log on to:
http://recorder.maricopa.gov/web/elections.aspx.
Voter registration must occur by April 19, 2010 and early ballot requests must occur by May 7 in order to be in effect for the May 18, 2010 election.
It is my intent to answer questions that are asked,
not to convince anyone how to vote.
This information can be printed and posted at schools if that is helpful as a reminder of the information that has been sent to date.
Susie Cook
March 29, 2010
A carefully crafted communication plan regarding RIFFING has apparently been preempted by social networking and other means of sharing information. Because RIFFING is the one of the most sensitive subjects with which we deal, It is our intent that anyone who is being RIFFED is communicated with personally, first by a supervisor, and second, by me in the scheduled District meetings. It is unfortunate that rumors abound with incomplete and/or inaccurate information. Please know that the following steps will be followed:
Anyone who is being RIFFED will be personally contacted by their supervisor between now and Wednesday.
There are three RIF meetings scheduled on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week at 4: 15 at the Administrative Center in the Navajo Room. Those being RIFFED may attend any one of the three meetings.
Three district-wide meetings will be held for employees who want information regarding the total budget picture: April 19 at Mountain Sky; April 20 at the Administrative Center; and April 21 at Ocotillo School.
More information about the total budget will be disseminated District-wide this week.
Susie Cook
March 23, 2010
On the Thursday evening prior to Spring Break, the Legislature passed a budget that includes reductions that are contingent on the passage of the one-cent sales tax on which voters may act on May 18, 2010. If the sales tax passes, WESD will endure $8.2 million in budget reductions. If the sales tax does NOT pass, WESD will endure $14.3 million in budget reductions in the MO budget PLUS $5 million more in capital funding.
In either case, we will have to RIF (reduce in force) by April 15. More information will follow. IBN meets on Thursday, March 25 to consider all of the scenarios to assist us with making these reductions. The RIF process will occur after that meeting, more than likely next week.
This is not good news for us or public education. SOSAZ, an advocacy group, is meeting with parent groups and the Legislators on April 12 in an effort to communicate the absolute need to build a sustainable public education system in Arizona.
Susie Cook
March 12, 2010
This budget "byte" focuses on questions that are frequently asked about the retirement system, particularly in challenging fiscal years. The information comes directly from the Arizona Retirement System. I hope it is helpful to you.
The Arizona State Retirement System has received a number of inquiries related to the effects on retirement benefits that may be caused by furloughs, forced salary reductions and other measures that may be taken by employers during these difficult economic times. A member's retirement in the Defined Benefit Plan is determined by a formula that takes into account average annual salary, years of service, and a graded multiplier that increases with years of service. Once a benefit is calculated, it provides a lifelong benefit that can never be reduced except for provisions under the retirement option selected at retirement. Factors that make up those components, however, can be affected by furloughs and salary reductions. For those within ten years of retirement, a salary reduction may impact the retirement benefit.
This is because the highest 36 consecutive months of salary over the last 120 months are used in the calculation. For a fact sheet on this subject, please visit the website at http://www.azasrs.gov/, under "ASRS Central."
Susie Cook
March 4, 2010
We do not yet have much specific information from the Legislature regarding the budget, although it appears that the fiscal forecast is not very optimistic.
There may be confusion between the terms, RIF (reduction in force) and excessing of staff. The basic difference between the two terms is that RIFFED staff do not have to be hired back the following year; excessed employees must be hired back, but usually in a different position at another location. Hopefully, the following definitions will assist you with knowing the difference between the terms. It is important because we are likely to excess staff this year because of reduced enrollment/changes in operations at certain sites. We are not sure whether we will have to RIF staff until the Legislature makes more definitive decisions.
Reduction in Force
Reduction in Force (RIF) is the layoff of staff in order to effectuate economies in the operation of the District or to improve the efficient conduct and administration of the schools of the District. In the case of certified employees, these employees are released from their contracts.
Excessing of Staff
Excessing occurs when existing staffing allocations exceed projected positions for the following school year. In this case, employees with a contract (e.g. teachers) will receive a contract and will be assigned to another location and/or position for the following school year.
I hope this is helpful. Thank you.
Susie Cook
February 26, 2010
The Governing Board approved last night that there was no need to take a furlough day on March 19, 2010 (during spring break.) Therefore, March 19 will be a paid holiday for employees.
You may recall that IBN recommended that we should consider each furlough day in the context of the current budget. At this time, the Legislature has not finalized the current year budget. We have sufficient funding to pay employees for March 19. I hope this is good news for you!
Susie Cook
February 19, 2010
Legislation passed on February 4 that calls for a statewide election to consider an increase in the sales tax. The election is to be held on May 18, 2010. If the voters approve the one cent increase in the sales tax rate, it would begin on June 1 and continue for 36 consecutive months. The temporary increase would end after May 31, 2013. Two-thirds of the revenues collected would be appropriated for elementary and secondary education and one-third would be required for health/human services and public safety.
Susie Cook