Layoffs are looming in the Oxford school district, but Superintendent Virginia Brennan-Kyro vowed the administration is working hard with the various employee unions and associations to ‘minimize? the numbers.
‘We’re trying to avoid as many layoffs as possible,? she said. ‘We’re a growing district and I’ve hired every single year that I’ve been here. This is the first time we’ve even had to look at the possibility of layoffs.?
To help make up for a projected $1.4 million shortfall in the 2006-07 school budget, the district is eliminating two custodians, one paraprofessional, the career center coordinator at OHS (see story on page 1), a social work position and possibly cutting one elementary teaching position.
Exactly who’s being laid off won’t be determined until after the various unions and associations meet in June.
Brennan-Kyro said employees with the least amount of seniority in the positions to be cut are being notified that they may be laid off.
But nothing’s been finalized and there’s no guarantee those with the least seniority will be the ones to go.
‘We have the framework for it all, but the details haven’t been worked out,? Brennan-Kyro said.
The superintendent said the unions still have to go through a ‘bid process,? during which someone higher up on the seniority list may decide to voluntarily leave due to personal reasons, retirement or a job opportunity in another district. If that happens, it could allow someone with less seniority to stay.
In an effort to save jobs, the district is looking at initiating approximately nine involuntary transfers, which involve, for example, making a physical education teacher become a classroom teacher. ‘The good news is they still have a job,? Brennan-Kyro said.
For instance, Ron Roop and Shanie Williams, physical education teachers at Oxford Elementary and Daniel Axford respectively, have been notified that they will be involuntarily transferred into classroom positions.
Who will be teaching physical education at those schools is still being worked out, but PE classes will continue there.
Brennan-Kyro said involuntary transfers are done to save jobs.
‘Sometimes we have to bump this person over to here so we can avoid this layoff and this person can stay,? she explained. ‘What we’re trying to do is keep as many employees gainfully employed as we possibly can.?
That ‘means some people are going to be doing new and different things next year,? said Brennan-Kyro.
In addition to layoffs, two positions are being eliminated through attrition ? a mechanic at the bus garage and a special education teacher at the elementary level, both of whom are retiring.
Because the new all-day/alternate-day kindergarten program will eliminate mid-day bus runs four days a week, Brennan-Kyro said there will be less ‘wear and tear? on the buses, requiring one less mechanic.
However, she noted there is money for over-time in the transportation department budget in case it’s needed.
As for the retiring special ed. teacher, she will be replaced at the elementary level by an existing teacher while another special ed. teacher will split their time between the high school and middle school.
Twenty-eight paraprofessionals and 14 bus drivers may have their hours reduced as another cost-saving measure.
The 28 paraprofessionals will work 30 to 60 minutes less each day, while 14 bus drivers will work two less hours four days a week due to the elimination of the mid-day run as a result of the new kindergarten program.
In the end, Brennan-Kyro reiterated the administration’s main goal is to ‘try to save as many jobs as possible.?
But after facing four to five years in a row of budget reductions, she said, ‘it’s gotten to the point where it’s very, very difficult? to ‘minimize the impact on staff.?