School employees oppose proposed cuts

School employees called on the Carson City School Board during its meeting Monday to use money from the district's ending fund to balance the budget rather than cut jobs and salaries as outlined in the tentative plan.

"How can we turn our backs on educators and support staff when we have $12.5 million in and ending fund balance?" asked Casey Gilles, principal of Fremont Elementary School and president of the Carson City Administrators Association. "We ask you to weigh the practical and moral issues before you decide."

Superintendent Richard Stokes said the district altered its first approach to the budget after speaking with staff to diversify cuts to both programs and staff.

"We believe what we've done here is a bit of a compromise," he said.

However, the school district is looking at about $3.1 million in reduced revenue from the state under the governor's proposed budget. He said the district has suffered with the approximate $9 million in funding that has been cut over the past three years, but said the answer is not to use up the district's savings.

"None of this is good for education," Stokes said. "But we recognize that if this continues we cannot hit a point in our operations where we continue to spend more than we take in."

Finance director Tony Turley outlined proposed cuts to the budget, the biggest changes coming to staffing and postponing the purchase of most textbooks over the next biennium.

Rather that implement the 5 percent salary reduction recommended by the governor, the district is proposing salary freezes, with a 1.1 percent salary cut to offset increases in the state retirement program.

About $878,000 savings is planned through a reduction in staff. About half of that will be achieved, Turley said, by not replacing teachers and other staff who are leaving the district this year.

An additional $1.2 million would be cut in the form of staffing the following year in 2013.

The district also plans to use $2 million of its ending fund balance, leaving about $10.4 million.

"If we dramatically change that, it dramatically changes our bond rating and our ability borrow money," Turley said.

Trustee Ron Swirczek asked that all positions be considered when it comes to reductions, rather than focusing on teachers. He suggested all vice principal and other administrative positions be examined.

"Achievement, teaching and learning is why we're here." he said. "At what point do we step back and say what are we willing to give up."

Lynnette Conrad, school board clerk, said she was upset to see that the athletics budget had increased while cuts are being made to staff.

"I don't like it," she said. "I want to see teachers in the classroom and I want to see small classrooms."

Turley explained that the budget had increased because state competitions next year will be in the southern part of the state. Conrad suggested fundraisers be held to send athletes to those competitions rather than district money.

Brian Wallace, president of the Ormsby County Educators Association, said the district should look at all institutions, such as instructional consultation and reading programs, before cutting staff. He also urged the board to consider using more of the ending fund balance.

"The district is sending the wrong message to the Legislature by continuing to cut away at education," Wallace said. "The longer we continue to hang on to these funds, we show the Legislature we can continue to live on a shoestring budget."

School board president Joanna Wilson asked Turley to return to the board with alternatives.

Turley said the district will work with each school to make final decisions.

"The final result will be a collaborative effort with administrators and what is best for their sites," he said.

Stokes said anyone interested in offering suggestions could call the school district at 283-2100.