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Published: Friday, Jun. 26, 2009 / Updated: Friday, Jun. 26, 2009 08:35 AM

Two Fort Mill School board members want layoffs reconsidered

Pair would rather see furloughs, salary cuts for working retirees

FORT MILL -- 

Two Fort Mill school board members are pushing district leaders to reconsider a spending proposal that would lay off nine employees and cancel several academic support programs.

School board members Michael Johnson and Patrick White said they would rather see the district take advantage of a new law that temporarily relaxes restrictions over how school systems spend state money.

Johnson and White argue that two measures allowed by the so-called “flexibility law” — forcing school employees to take unpaid leave and cutting the salaries of working retirees — would save enough money to prevent layoffs and keep programs such as elementary school Spanish and a reading program for first-graders who struggle with literacy.

State lawmakers created the flexibility bill to give school districts options as they face steep cuts in state money.

The Fort Mill district faces a $2 million shortfall for the coming school year.

“I would've preferred us to take a harder look at the flexibility that was given to us,” Johnson said. “These are desperate times. I've been surprised at the unwillingness of our administration to do what needs to be done.”

Superintendent sticks by plan

Fort Mill schools Superintendent Keith Callicutt defended his budget.

“We have gone through quite an extensive process getting input,” Callicutt said. “In the end, it is my responsibility to make a recommendation that I think is in the best interest of the school district. That's what I've done.

“By protecting teachers, we're helping protect the academic integrity and quality we're accustomed to,” he said.

Before Fort Mill school leaders learned this month that they will receive $2.7 million in federal economic stimulus money for next school year, they expected to be short $4.7 million.

The original spending plan included unpaid leave for employees — four days for teachers and eight for administrators — to save $1.1 million. The flexibility law states that teachers can only be furloughed on days when students don't have school, and administrators must take leave for twice as many days as teachers.

“All along we had said if stimulus money came in, (furloughs) would be one of the first things to go,” Callicutt said. The district never considered trimming working retirees' salaries, he said.

To make up the remaining $2 million shortfall, district officials have proposed the following:

Raising taxes on all properties except owner-occupied houses by just under 3 percent. For example, the owner of a retail business or a rental house valued at $100,000 will pay $36 more in property taxes for school operations.

Allowing class sizes for kindergarten through fifth grade to grow by one student — that would mean one teacher for every 21 students in kindergarten through second grade; and one teacher for every 22 students in third through fifth grade.

Laying off nine employees, including three media assistants, two home-school workers, two child care providers and two teachers.

Canceling Spanish classes for elementary school students, to save $308,000.

Eliminating reading specialists at each of the district's three middle schools, to save $207,000.

Trimming $1,000 from the annual bonus teachers receive for earning certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. That would bring the bonus down to $2,000, saving the district $200,000.

White: Tax unfair

White called the tax hike “hypocritical.” It's unfair, he said, to force businesses struggling in a sour economy to pay more taxes but not ask school employees to sacrifice by taking unpaid leave.

Although he plans to bring up the issue during a school board meeting on Monday, White said he's not sure how much good it will do.

“I think (administrators) feel pretty confident that they have four votes and they can pass it,” he said.

Others disagree

School board members Diane Dasher, Wyndie Havnaer and Jan Smiley said they disagree with Johnson and White.

“I agree with the district's recommendation on not imposing furloughs,” said Smiley, who, as chairwoman, votes only when there's a tie.

Havnaer agreed. “I would rather take the advice of our professionals and what they want to do,” she said. “I think some of these cuts, we're going to have to deal with to make it through another year.”

School board member Chantay Bouler said she's still pondering the use of furloughs. School board member Scott Patterson didn't respond to an e-mail request for an interview.

Johnson and White, in separate interviews, said they plan to fight to use flexibility during Monday night's meeting, in which the board is scheduled to vote on the proposed budget.

Said Johnson: “We're going to force a discussion that no one really wants to have out in the open.”