First, please know that the Twin Falls School District Board of Trustees is making every effort to do that which is least disruptive to our students and to take care of our employees as best we can during these tough times. Second, we would like to clear up any misunderstandings or misinformation about the changes we are making due to a decline in funding. While we have made every effort to keep patrons and employees informed of the budget situation in newsletters, meetings, etc., it seems there are a few who have received inaccurate information.
Throughout the budget planning process it was our goal to constrict rather than cut programs or personnel. We wanted to preserve academic programs, extra-curricular activities, and jobs. Beginning in January, Superintendent Dobbs offered over 30 presentations to faculty, staff, community groups, parents and students regarding the funding emergency. During, and following, these presentations, the district collected ideas on ways to best respond to the state revenue reductions. Each idea was analyzed and it was determined that no matter what, a salary reduction would need to be a significant part of the plan. The Twin Falls Education Association and the district looked at the options of adopting the state salary schedule or furloughing days. Together they decided that furloughing days was the better avenue to take. The district also made reductions in other areas such as travel, supplies, computer purchases and personnel through attrition. In order to help clear up any remaining confusion, the following are some answers to questions we have received regarding the budget shortfall:
Why did the TFSD decide to go with furlough days rather than moving to the state salary schedule?
Had the district opted to move to the State Salary Schedule, the maximum reduction to teachers’ annual salaries would have been $8,800. With the furlough option, the maximum reduction to teachers’ annual salaries will be $3,723. In addition, we felt that it was unprofessional to ask teachers to work the same number of days for less pay. It is our goal to reinstate the furlough days, where practicable, as sufficient funds are realized by the district to allow for additions.
Is the Twin Falls School District reducing teacher salaries more than other districts across the state?
The salary reductions our teachers are taking this year are equal to or less than the total cuts many teachers have taken in other districts across the state over a two-year period. The reduction to TFSD teachers’ salaries through furlough days may be larger than some districts this year, but this is due to the fact that many districts made cuts to or froze staff salaries last year. Last year, the TFSD did not qualify to declare a financial emergency and was required to give raises in experience and education as per Idaho Law.
Is the Twin Falls School District making reductions because of costs associated with CRHS?
No. Due to the state budget shortfall, the TFSD will be operating with nearly $3.3 million less for the 2010-11 school year. This $3.3 million cut must come from the general fund. No money out of the general fund has been spent to pay for building costs associated with CRHS.
Are the salary reductions due to having to staff CRHS?
No. The State Department of Education funds the Twin Falls School District for the exact number of teachers we currently employ.
What is an Emergency Levy and was it considered when making reductions?
An Emergency Levy is a levy allowed by state law based on student growth. It requires only board approval. The Twin Falls School District has qualified for and received an Emergency Levy four of the last five years. It is anticipated that the district will qualify for the levy again this coming school year and the anticipated amount has been figured into the budget.
What is a “Carryover” and why is it important?
The carryover is general fund money that is not committed at the end of a budget year. It is important to sustain a carryover because it acts as a savings account and allows the district to have cash flow. It keeps the district from having to borrow money throughout the year and pay that money back including interest. At the beginning of the 2008-09 school year our carryover was $3.2 million or approximately one month’s worth of operating costs. At the end of the 2010-11 school year, the carryover is anticipated to drop to $1.6 million or approximately two weeks operating costs.
Why aren’t administrators’ salaries being reduced as much as the teachers’?
Administrators are furloughing the same number of days as teachers. Like teachers, their daily rates will stay intact. The resulting percentage cut from the annual salary for teachers is higher because it is based on employees’ daily rates and teachers work fewer days than administrators. It is important to remember as times improve and the district is able to add days back to the calendar, teachers will receive a greater percentage increase to their salary than the administrators will receive. We felt it was important to maintain employees’ daily rates as reducing daily rates would significantly impact employees’ retirement funds. We also opted to reduce some administrator positions through attrition thereby reducing the total amount spent by the district on administration by nearly ten percent.
Did the district consider a Supplemental Levy?
The district looked at the possibility of asking the community to support a Supplemental Levy for the 2010-11 school year, but a number of community and staff members indicated that because many patrons have lost their jobs or endured their own salary reductions, the district should not place the additional tax burden on the community without a comprehensive examination. However, a committee consisting of school administrators, board representatives, educators and members of the public will meet to review and analyze whether a supplemental levy will be proposed for election for patrons of the Twin Falls School District # 411 for the 2011-12 school year.
Why did the district hold a meeting on Memorial Day?
Since we opted to participate in the statewide financial emergency, we were held to a very tight timeline. The district wanted to allow for as much time as possible for an agreement to be made through the negotiations process. Memorial Day was the last possible day to hold the meeting without disrupting the tight timeline. This meeting was not mandatory for teachers. Further, if teachers were unable to attend, they had the option of submitting their input via letter for up to three days following the meeting.
We know that these are challenging times for many in our community and want to assure you we will continue to offer a quality education for our students. We invite you to call the Twin Falls School District office at 733-6900 if you have further questions or concerns on any of these issues.
