November 11, 2005
Dear St. Tammany Parish Public School System Employee:
The value of our dedicated and hard-working employees to the success of the St. Tammany Parish Public School System is without question. I want to assure you that we understand your significance to this System and that we will continue to keep you informed all along the way, as we work to maintain our School System under the extraordinary circumstances we now face. Among the devastating effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita are the anxiety, fear, and distractions from our primary mission caused by false rumors, and we want to try to correct misinformation with current factual information.
In recent days, rumors have circulated that the School Board will order massive layoffs, that as many as 30% of our teachers will lose their jobs, and that across-the-board pay cuts are imminent. Rumors even have suggested that, although the Board has a plan to accomplish this, the plan is not being disclosed and employees will be taken by surprise. Let me put these rumors to rest now.
None of this is true.
What is true is that the unprecedented storms have created uncertainty in terms of future revenue. Serious cash flow concerns are expected as a result of complicated issues involving decreased enrollment numbers and lost tax revenue. The BESE and the State Legislature are in the process of re-allocating Minimum Foundation Funds statewide among school systems, considering storm-driven population shifts and dramatic changes in student enrollment. Even if all our previous students returned and enrollment reached pre-hurricane levels, serious financial concerns would remain, since almost half of our total revenue comes from local sales and property taxes. The stream of local revenue derived from these taxes may not flow as strongly as in the past.
What also is true is that we are absolutely committed to maintaining as much of our current work force as possible. In anticipation of severe financial difficulties, we are exploring many ways to shore up our financial condition. We are taking actions now that, if successful, could possibly minimize or eliminate the need for layoffs.
In order to help safeguard positions, we moved quickly to relocate employees in overstaffed areas and to establish a substitute pool that allows us to make the best use of our diminished resources. As an important next step to helping retain employees, we expect to continue relocating some employees shortly. Assistant Superintendent Pete Jabbia will be working with principals and staff in following the St. Tammany Federation of Teachers and School Employees contract provisions for involuntary transfers.
In addition, we hope to receive possible financial relief from the proposed disaster recovery bill in Congress. Also, we are making substantial cuts to the System general fund budget, exploring short- and long-term loan options, and offering early retirement incentives for certificated employees to help with voluntary reduction of the work force.
By early December, we will have a clearer picture of where we stand financially. At that time, we will go to the Board with recommendations about the general fund and any possible adjustments in the work force. We will welcome employees to attend this meeting and to be a part of the conversation.
For now, I want to give you these facts about reduction in work force as we know at this time.
- We have placed high priority on managing our resources in such a way that any reduction in force would be minimal. We also are pursuing all available federal and state monetary assistance.
- No reduction in force will be instituted this semester.
- We are not certain at this point whether or not any reduction in force will be instituted next semester.
- We have worked with the Federation to draft provisions that would be followed in case a decrease in personnel is necessary next semester.
- At this point, we have little or no overstaffing among noncertificated employees.
- If a reduction in force becomes necessary next semester, tenured teachers are very unlikely to be affected, except in rare certification cases.
- If a reduction in force becomes necessary next semester, the group most likely affected would be the group of temporary teachers hired into positions that became available after the 2005 job fair.
Many of the statements above are predicated with the word if, which may lead some to suggest that, no matter what we have said, the situation is dire and a large-scale reduction is looming. I only can urge you to dismiss such rumor and speculation. The word if is used because circumstances are changing daily and, accordingly, the future is being reshaped. We can take some measure of comfort in knowing that, on the whole, changing circumstances thus far have been positive.
Our administration has been working closely with the Federation to develop a plan for implementing any reduction that might become necessary next semester. Through collective bargaining, the parties developed a plan that the Board and the Federation approved at the November 10 School Board Meeting. That plan outlines steps that will be taken to avoid any reduction in force and states the manner in which reduction would be implemented if a reduction became necessary. The plan is posted on the System Web site at www.stpsb.org.
The recent months have been trying for all of us. Despite the losses and the hardships our employees and community have suffered, we have worked diligently from day one to sustain our work force, rebuild our infrastructure, and maintain the excellence of our School System. More than ever, we need the support, effort, and optimism you always have given. Thank you for your hard work and the extra mile you are going to help ensure that our students are receiving care, stability, and high-quality instruction.
We are open to your input and suggestions, and I encourage you to contact your supervisor or Central Office administration if you have comments or questions.
Sincerely,
Gayle Sloan, Superintendent
