Lodi Unified School District board delays more layoffs, proposal vote

More than 50 Lodi Unified layoffs were delayed Tuesday when the board opted to table the decision because information on the cost savings was unavailable.

In separate action, a majority of trustees also waited to vote on a proposal by administrators to rescind a number of layoffs made earlier this year in exchange for keeping those positions open, yet unfilled.

In their proposal requested by the board and as a response to action by Superintendent Cathy Nichols-Washer to personally reduce her salary last month, the district's administrators proposed that the current four coordinators, two elementary vice principal and one associate principal positions currently vacant due to resignations or retirements remain unfilled for next school year.

According to their calculations, this would reduce the cost of administration salaries by $827,855. While not an actual pay cut, the proposal cuts the total cost of administrative salaries by 8.6 percent and allow for restructuring by the school board and Nichols-Washer.

Trustee Jeff Thompson, however, said he was uncomfortable with the proposal because it would lock in retaining certain positions. "As a board member, I want flexibility in how we prioritize," he said.

Before a standing room-only crowd, one teacher questioned the proposal altogether.

"It looks to me like you've cut a side deal with one union," David Hurley said. "Before you do this, think about bargaining with one unit to save some jobs."

In other action

In other action Tuesday, the Lodi Unified School Board of trustees:

Dedicated the meeting to Bob Wheeler who died over the weekend. He was a large contributor to the city's youth.

Approved a slight increase for next school year for lunch meals prepared in the cafeteria. Breakfast will be free.

Recognized the following outgoing 2008-09 student board representatives: Shelby Smith, Bear Creek High School; Millea Hinchman, Lodi High School; Zakir Safdar, McNair High School; and Domunique Brusa, Tokay High School.

Acknowledged well over two dozen elementary, middle and high school students and their coaches for placing in various Science Olympiad competitions.

Adopted new textbooks for medical science and terminology.

Reduced the number of pre-school permit teachers for next school year due to a lack of federal funds.

Special needs teacher Susie Reed echoed his sentiments and drew attention to the fact that her custodian would likely be losing his job. While disappointed, she said she didn't mind using the vacuum on her own classroom, and encouraged other administrators to pick up the slack, too.

"You can take on some extra duties too," Reed said. "If we're going to make cuts ... I'd rather have my aide helping me day after day in the classroom than other coordinating function.

"You're going to have a captain of an empty ship soon enough."

Trustee Ken Davis, however, cautioned the board about further delays — even calling it "irresponsible" — especially since the next meeting will be held after the school year is over.

"You won't know where you'll be going in July," he told the crowd.

The discussion came after the board tabled until next month a decision to lay off 46 part-time paraeducators, 16 part-time community liaisons and two full-time clerk/typists at various campuses throughout the district.

Chief Business Official Doug Barge was not at the meeting, and no one else had the information on how much the cuts would save the district, so trustees opted to postpone a decision.

The item was erroneously included on the last meeting agenda, but pulled before any action was taken.

By law, the classified employees must receive a 45-day notice that they are no longer needed due to a lack of funds due to a drop in enrollment.

Connected to the administrators' proposal was rescinding a number of layoffs originally approved by the board in February. Instead of eliminating the following positions, they asked trustees to keep them open and unfilled:

Assistant superintendent of secondary education

Director of elementary education

Director of certificated personnel

Administrative director of student services

Vice principal of intervention programs

Lincoln Technical Academy vice principal

One half-time middle school vice principal position.

The board instead voted 5-1, with Davis dissenting, to only retain the director of educational services/SELPA position. Trustee Calvin Young was absent.

Contact reporter Jennifer Bonnett at jenniferb@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

lodivice wrote on May 20, 2009 9:54 PM:

" Let Them Eat LUSD Cake, Beam Me Up Scotty. "

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roni95242 wrote on May 20, 2009 12:53 PM:

" Lou: I agree completely! My opinion there is alot of greasing going on!
and it is not coming our way!It is all going to the higher ups REALLY SAD lets spread the wealth! "

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Lou wrote on May 20, 2009 12:20 PM:

" The issue is less about insurance and more about trust. Can we trust the Union to represent the interests of teachers? Can we trust "anything" that comes from the Board? It looks like everytime the Board and this Union gets together it's all about misdirection or an elaborate kabuki drama. These folks need to be asked some straight forward questions, we should expect some straight forward answers.

What I think we all want to know now is who's gettin' greased? "

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jbhiker wrote on May 20, 2009 11:36 AM:

" I don't see the insurance going up. Teachers get Kaiser now. The district is going to pay for a policy that has a supposedly $3K per year deductible. But the way it was explained to me, there is no out of pocket costs to the Teachers with the exception of up to $3K then the insurance starts paying. That is about $270 a month. Sound's reasonable compared to others and only $30 a month less than I pay as a contractor. My Health Care is awesome! If you take care of yourself, it will cost you nothing. I have not seen any paperwork on it - just heard about it. "

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edumacation wrote on May 20, 2009 11:11 AM:

" It's obvious to me that the LUSD must evaluate another Insurance broker, instead of yet another year of pain with Keenan and Associates. This broker may not be suitable for our district, teachers, students and parents. Why can't our School board stop the incestuous relationship they have with this company and solicit bids form other firms?

Here is a short list of experienced and knowledgeable school district insurance brokers that try to help teachers AND the community they serve, instead of a few old cronies in the ESC:

Self-Insured Schools of California-SISC
Schools Insurance Authority-SIA
Central Valley Trust-CVT- Very professional.

It's time for parents examine the relationship between the LUSD and it's insurance representatives! "

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Millwheel wrote on May 20, 2009 10:22 AM:

" First, the administrator group is an association, not a union. The so called offer was cooked up by the previous association leaders in collusion with the District Office. When approached, the classified union refused to consider a similar proposal. It's true that a district the size of Lodi cannot run without adequate and competent District staffs, but does the District need the multiple redundancies currently in place. Students are educated amd served at the site, not on East Pine.

The insurance has been a mess for years. Why isn't the District dealing directly with providers and not through a broker? Brokers usually earn a substantial commission that goes on top of the actual cost of insurance. "

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roni95242 wrote on May 20, 2009 10:05 AM:

" Why dont they re-instate the Teachers /Classified eployees first?
The people who impact the STUDENTS should be re-instated FIRST!
As far as the Voting yesterday,LUSD needs to budget their money better, they don't need MORE money they need to WASTE less! Same with Sacramento I think they got the message LOUD AND CLEAR! "

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Whoa Nellie! wrote on May 20, 2009 9:11 AM:

" Lou brings up a good point with the "insurance fiasco." The Union created this mess, thanks to a once respected LHS History teacher who lead the teachers down the wrong path. Now I hear teachers COMPLAINING about how their insurance will go up at least $400 per month. 1) Don't blame the district, blame YOUR union, & 2) Welcome to the real world.

And, YES, as I read the article I wondered, "What the he11 was more important to Doug Barge than this meeting?" Two for One Night at Coco's? "

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Lou wrote on May 20, 2009 7:56 AM:

" jbhiker...

Can't answer your question with any precision, however, I can say the teachers have been too busy teaching to realize that their own union doesn't always work in the best interests of teachers. Notwithstanding the fact that some of you have paid the union 10's of thousands of dollars(over-the-years) to represent you....right?

Qui Bono= Who benefits? Teachers: Keep that litle piece of Latin in your vocabulary. You may find out that your "insurance fiasco" is just the beginning. You pay the union for what?
To represent you? Are they representing your interests? Their interests? Or, the District's interests?

Keep asking questions, keep looking for the answer to Qui Bono. "

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jbhiker wrote on May 20, 2009 7:35 AM:

" Lou - don't you think it is more a battle of the "Haves" VS. the "Have-Nots"? It is Orwellian - very astute. "

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Lou wrote on May 20, 2009 7:15 AM:

" "Connected to the administrators' proposal was recinding a number of layoffs originally approved by the board in February. Instead of eliminating the following positions, they asked trustees to keep them open and unfilled" (Yes, this is an exact quote).

Then they list 6 administrative positions.... Shouldn't we assume "THEY" in the previous quote is/are the administrators themselves?

The quote goes on: "The board instead voted 5-1 with Davis disenting, to only retain the director of educational services/SELPA position."

George Orwell would be proud. Just tell us, who is being FIRED! Watch, next they will be telling us that Odie Douglas is the new head of SELPA. The head of any school district's SELPA is a federally mandated position and cannot be vacant. Or as LNS might report it: "You cannot not have a SELPA director unless you contract with another district(with a SELPA) outside the District."

Wow! What school you think we went?

The real story last night is: The teachers are just finding out they can't even trust their own union. All you can count on now is more lies and deception. "

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takealook wrote on May 20, 2009 5:57 AM:

" With all this happening to the district where, oh where was Mr. Barge? Mr. Barge, we need those numbers that we asked for last night. You are a key figure in making the budget work. DO your job! "

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