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AUSD board approves staffing
cuts and reductions
By Susan Hogoboom
The Alpine Sun
ALPINE — In an attempt to deal with its
budget crisis, the Alpine Union School District Board was
compelled to move ahead with votes to cut several employee
positions and hours.
For now, many library-related positions remained
unscathed, thanks to an amendment by board member Eric Wray to
exclude libraries from the cuts.
“At after-school library, we can finish class work or
homework that we don’t have enough time to finish up,” said one
Joan Mac Queen Middle School eighth-grader, who referred to it
as “tranquil place.”
She rattled off a long list of the positive effects of
the library. “The after-school library … helps the working
parents of Alpine. Parents can work longer and keep our
community a clean place. The library also helps keep the
students out of trouble. The after-school library is like home
to us. We have made many friends,” she said, noting that on
Fridays, students take a break from their studies and play board
games.
The students went on to praise library staff members,
Computer Instructional Aide, Lois Brody and Library Media
Specialist, Donna Pardue. “It will cut the bond we have with
Mrs. Purdue and we will miss her greatly.”
“I believe Mrs. Brody should keep her job and hours
because it’s important. What would we do if our school did not
have the computer lab? The entire school needs the computers and
we need a person to take care of those computers, and that
person is Mrs. Brody,” said an eighth grader.
“Joan Mac Queen students rely upon Miss Brody’s
technical guidance. Students are excited when they enter the
computer lab because they know that Miss Brody is more than
there to help. But not only does she fix the computers, she will
also help you with any computer questions you may have,” said
another eighth-grade student.
The student concluded by saying, “On the back of our
P.E. shirts, it says, ‘Together everyone achieves more.’”
JMMS student Austin, touted the importance of books to
the board, quoting a Chinese proverb, “A book is a garden in
your pocket.”
He also said that cuts would make the library staff’s
job even more laborious.
“I know how hard it is to shelve all the books in 40
hours and I can’t imagine how hard it would be in 20 hours.”
“I don’t see the lack of money and definitely don’t see
a lack of work,” said Pardue.
Austin mentioned to the board that, last year, students
circulated a petition regarding the matter, but with the
majority of sixth graders at camp, they did not have a chance to
sign it.
“What do you want to be remembered as, the people who
took books away from children who love to read, or the people
who saved the library?” He asked the board members. He closed by
paraphrasing Thomas Jefferson, “I tell you today, Joan Mac Queen
cannot live without books.”
Charlene Brown referred to herself and other librarians
as being “more than a librarian.”
Alpine Elementary School secretary Jan Ironside accused
groups of not working together and made a plea for teamwork. “I
urge the board to work together with the district to keep our
district strong,” she told the board.
Board member Ann Pierce sympathized.
“The libraries have been funded by a grant that has
been dwindling for a long time. It is gone now. If we do keep
them open, we’re going to have to look someplace else for the
cuts,” she warned. “We keep accruing and growing every time we
fail to make cuts,” she said, seemingly blaming the board for
not taking action in August.
“The reason we’re not saving 291 bucks an hour is
because we failed to do this in August. We are into the year
now. We’re only going to save $165. The rest of that money has
been spent,” she said, noting her love for libraries and books,
but adding, “Right now, I think we have to make cuts. If we’re
not going to be able to agree and it’s going to get postponed,
that’s going to cost us more.”
In the end, the board, after rejecting the solvency
plan as presented, approved an amended plan, by a vote of 4-1,
that allows the board to go as low as 5 percent in reserves and
gives the board approval to put the $1.2 million from the Joan
Mac Queen Middle School construction defect lawsuit into the
general fund. Mark Price, board president, was the sole member
against approving the plan.
California School Employees Association (CSEA) Labor
Representative Kris Swanson told the board she wanted an 8 to 9
percent reserve.
The board had also proposed to further cut members’
stipend, however, according to Price, this item can not be voted
on by the group. Such a decision would involve more than simply
approving the solvency plan. According to AUSD Business Manger,
Rob Turner, earlier this year board members saw a 2 percent
reduction in their stipend from $240 to $235.20 per month.
In April district employees took a 2 percent pay cut,
effective July 1, 2009 for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school
year, many reportedly under the impression that their jobs and
hours would be safe. In August, classified employees, once
again, found themselves pleading for their jobs, at which time
the board tabled the item until this month’s agenda.
Despite pleas to the board, Brody’s hours have now been
reduced from 30 to 20 hours per week. However, Pardue’s
reduction in hours has been tabled to a later date.
The proposed reduction was from 40 hours to 20 hours
per week. Library Media Specialists at Boulder Oaks Elementary,
Creekside Early Learning Center, and Shadow Hills Elementary,
which were proposed to be abolished completely, have also been
tabled to a later date.
The board is still looking at more ways to close the
deficit, including the sale of bonds; water saving measures; and
upgrading Joan Mac Queen Middle School’s solar power system,
while adding solar to Boulder Oaks Elementary, Creekside Early
Learning Center, and Shadow Hills Elementary.
Another possible moneymaking plan has been aborted. In
August, the board approved charging non-profit sports
organizations for using district facilities, but at September’s
meeting, Price exercised his right under Robert’s Rules to bring
the item back for reconsideration.
After board members requested more time to analyze the
issue, the item was tabled for this month’s meeting, at which
the board voted 3-2 to rescind the proposed fees. Wray, Price,
and Chris Newcomb each voted against the proposal, and Gina
Henke and Ann Pierce each voted in favor of the fees.
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