Emmanuel's Labors

Excepted from "Voice of San Diego"

http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2008/05/30/education/898layoffcosts053008.txt

 

By EMILY ALPERT Voice Staff Writer

Friday, May 30, 2008 | In March, fellow teachers shrugged at the layoff warnings that alarmed Mark Mathewson, a former information technology worker who quit a higher-paying job four years ago to teach elementary school in San Diego.

They'd seen it all before in 2003: Dire warnings of severe, statewide cuts to schools. The ensuing stream of layoff warnings to employees. Furious outcry from parents and unions. And the eventual cancellation of the dreaded layoffs -- or most of them -- as California lawmakers retreated from their budgeting plans and reduced cuts to schools.

The Cost of Erased Layoffs

The Issue: School districts across San Diego County are cancelling layoffs, but the layoff process has already cost them time, money and morale. What It Means: While the threat of layoffs has subsided for many, the ordeal has had an impact on schools and teachers. The Bigger Picture: Schools must issue layoff warnings long before state budgets are finalized. It's a timeline that is widely disliked and resulted a similar layoff warning in 2003. Yet there is little discussion of changing it.

But to Mathewson, it was new and troubling. He rallied outside the San Diego Unified school board and penned an editorial in the Union-Tribune. Two months later, his layoff notice still stood. Mathewson decided to abandon teaching. A former boss, alerted by Mathewson's editorial that his job was in jeopardy, has interviewed him for a technology job.

Less than two weeks later, San Diego Unified had cancelled layoff notices for more than 600 employees after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a new budget proposal that restored some funding to California schools. Mathewson's job was spared. But the school district has already lost him.

Driving away employees such as Mathewson is just one cost of a layoff process that drains schools of time, money and morale. Even as school districts across the county backtrack on many planned layoffs, they have already paid thousands of dollars to hold hearings where employees contest their dismissals, and poured uncounted hours into sending layoff warnings and compiling seniority lists.

They pay substitute teachers to replace employees attending hearings that can stretch a day or longer. They pay attorneys to argue over whether employees were properly notified of layoffs and whether seniority dates are correct -- details that can void layoff warnings if an administrative judge decides the district erred.

The county's largest district, San Diego Unified, spent approximately $77,300 on substitute teachers to cover two days of hearings. Layoff-related legal costs were not immediately available from the district. San Diego Unified was represented at the hearings by a San Marcos firm, Fagen Friedman and Fulfrost LLP, whose senior attorneys, associates and partners charge about $200 an hour under their agreement with San Diego Unified.

"All our school districts have spent an enormous amount of manpower -- just staff time -- creating layoff notices, doing the analysis of hire dates, creating criteria, looking at all the different components of a teacher's professional training to see who gets placed where on the layoff list -- you can't put a dollar sign on it, but they cost the profession greatly," said Chris Reising, director of the Southern California Teacher Recruitment and Support Center, an initiative of the county Office of Education.

School districts are forced to budget and prepare for layoffs using the earliest and often loosest predictions emanating from Sacramento. Long before state budgets are finalized. Consequently, school districts have historically braced for the worst by warning teachers of potential layoffs, only to reverse those warnings later as predicted shortfalls soften.

Critics accuse schools of overreacting. School boards say their hands are tied.

"It's a crazy way of doing business," said Anthony Millican, spokesman for the Chula Vista Elementary School District, which cancelled 274 planned layoffs for classroom teachers, but is still planning to slash more than 140 other positions. Its budget gap narrowed somewhat, from $11 million to $7.5 million, based on Schwarzenegger's revision.

"The clearest budget information didn't emerge until two months after the deadline" to warn teachers of layoffs, Millican said. "Where is the logic in that process?"

Chula Vista Elementary School District spent about $40,000 on substitute teachers during a two-day hearing, said Millican. Like San Diego Unified, its legal costs have not yet been totaled. The school district hired the firm Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, whose partners and senior associates charge $210 an hour.

San Ysidro School District has not yet been billed for its layoff hearings, but estimates that its bills will total between $34,600 and $36,600 for substitute teachers and legal advice related to the layoff procedures. That figure equates to roughly 1 percent of the $3.4 million in budget reductions San Ysidro School District approved earlier this year. The district has since revised its estimates and now expects a $2 million cut, Assistant Superintendent Karl Christensen said.

Poway Unified School District estimated its layoff costs at $25,000, including attorney fees and substitute teachers. A much smaller district, Carlsbad Unified, spent at least $9,000 on substitute teachers during hearings, said Assistant Superintendent Walter Freeman, who said the school district's legal costs were not yet available.

"It doesn't even begin to include the cost of the attorneys, which every school district in their right mind brings into this situation -- it's so highly technical and expensive," Freeman said.

Far tougher to calculate are the number of hours spent by school district staffers planning for layoffs, said Sharon Raffer, spokesperson for Poway Unified. Alarm about layoffs has hijacked the time school districts would ordinarily spend on other concerns. Poway Superintendent Don Phillips said his district had delayed new initiatives, preoccupied by budget planning. Poway cancelled more than 100 teacher layoffs but still plans to cut other employees.

Nor can districts quantify the emotional toll of the layoff process. School nurse Juliet R. dela Paz sobbed openly before the San Diego Unified school board when her layoff was canceled. Dela Paz started working as a school nurse in December 2006 and is midway through a school nurse credentialing program.

"I was writing papers for my classes saying, 'Why am I doing this?'" dela Paz recalled. At work, "all the work that I'd be doing I'd just be passing off to a different nurse -- if there would be a new nurse at all. I wondered, 'Why did I go that extra mile if I'm just a number?'"

Dela Paz is staying. But others, such as Mathewson, have soured on teaching after the layoff scare. Though it seems paradoxical to leave after San Diego Unified spared his job, Mathewson said the experience was the final straw in an aggravating three years burdened by bureaucracy and unreasonable expectations. His reaction isn't unique, Reising said.

"We all see these cyclical occurrences. Doom-and-gloom layoff notices are issued. The economic landscape shifts slightly. The layoff notices are rescinded. But the damage has been done," Reising said.

"It's our job to get the best and the brightest into classrooms," he added. "If they truly are the best and the brightest, they have other options."

Those cycles breed skepticism about school budget cuts across the political spectrum. Teachers union president Camille Zombro disbelieved the deficits predicted by San Diego Unified, calling them "fake numbers" that induced an overreaction by the district, which originally planned to dismiss nearly 1,000 educators. San Diego Tax Fighters chair Richard Rider shares Zombro's skepticism but draws a radically different conclusion.

"It's an orchestrated campaign with the idea of panicking the Legislature -- with the public's backing -- into pouring more money into education," Rider said. "It's crying wolf."

Some policy wonks share that suspicion, said Steve Frates, senior fellow at the Rose Institute of State and Local Government at Claremont McKenna College.

The theory is "you cut what's popular so you engender outrage from the citizenry, and the citizenry nudges the elected officials to restore the cuts," said Frates, who said he doesn't necessarily subscribe to that belief personally.

Despite the widespread aggravation with the system, there is little discussion of aligning the timelines for state budgeting with school district deadlines, or delaying layoff warnings until school districts have firmer budget predictions, said Rick Pratt, assistant executive director of the California School Boards Association. In light of the volatility of school funding, teachers are protective of their notification deadlines, which entered the state Education Code in 1976.

"And I don't see any way of changing the state's process," Pratt said. "School districts are a pilot flying without instruments."

Last Tuesday, the San Diego Unified School District voted 4-1 to rescind a large proportion of lay-off notices.  Nearly 700 teachers and other employees (nurses', vice-principals', counselors' jobs were also rescinded) of the San Diego Unified School District will be getting their jobs back, following a school board vote Tuesday.

 

Juliet addressed the board.  Part of her address was covered and the write-up is below. You can view this in a separate window by clicking on the link.  http://video.nbcsandiego.com/player/?id=256120

 

District Saves Hundreds Of Teachers' Jobs

SAN DIEGO - Nearly 700 teachers and other employees of the San Diego Unified School District will be getting their jobs back, following a school board vote Tuesday, NBC 7/39 reported.

The board voted 4 to 1 to reinstate 481 teachers, 76 counselors, 44 vice-principals, 10 custodians and 37 nurses. Board member Luis Acle cast the dissenting vote because he said he wanted more employees to be retained.

"I'm a little stunned still," said Allison Vinci, a third grade teacher from Central Elementary. "We've been going through this process for long, that it's like we heard what we wanted to hear, but we're still kind of shocked. So many people are going to be really excited."

"I'm proud -- I'm proud to be a school nurse, and proud I have a job," said Juliet De La Paz. Employees expressed relief for those who have been re-hired, but frustration for those still without a job offer. Tuesday morning, the district held their seventh budget workshop in light of the governor's budget revision, which gave more money to schools.

According to the district's financial officer, there will still be a multimillion dollar budget shortfall, even if the state legislature approves the governor's revised budget. That budget would restore much of the money the district feared it would lose.

But Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed education budget does not provide any extra money to help the district pay for the rapidly increasing cost of school supplies, fuel, food and other costs.

More than 900 teachers in San Diego Unified School District were sent pink slips in March. Two weeks ago, more than 300 jobs were restored.

A total of 206 probationary teachers -- those who have been with the district for less than 2 years -- are among those who remain without a job offer. There are also more than 200 non-teaching positions that are still being cut.

 

 

The vote by the Board is definitely a victory, but there are approximately 200 teachers left who still have yet to get their slips rescinded.  The fight is not over yet!  We must continue to challenge the board on their overall committment and priorities towards education despite the budget revisions!

On Wednesday, Arnold released the May budget revise and took education off the cutting block!  Despite this recent news, San Diego Unified has only rescinded lay-off notices for counselors, librarians, and English teachers, sparing close to 300 of the 900 expected lay-offs.  This is a calculated move that makes no sense, and will lead to divisiveness among educators and support staff.  We need to continue to add pressure to the school board so that they do the right thing and rescind all notices.

On Thursday, teachers, school nurses, and other support staff representatives met with the recently hired Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier to discuss these recent changes to the state budget and advocate for laid-off personnel, and discuss the progress (or lack of progress) in the school district.  Juliet participated in this round table and served as the sole representative for school nurses.  Below is her follow up letter sent to Dr. Grier today which captures her discussion with him yesterday:

 

Dear Dr. Terry Grier,

Firstly, I want to thank you for giving me the unique opportunity to share my story. Thank you for listening and being so gracious. It was my esteemed honor to represent School Nurses and I appreciate Camille Zombro for inviting me to this meeting.

Were you able to read the position statements of the National Association for School Nurses (NASN), the article from the Journal of School Nursing, and the policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics? What are your thoughts about this literature?

I want to reiterate the reality that nurses provide a valuable service that no one else in the district can provide. We have saved this district countless dollars by decreasing the rate of absenteeism, providing ongoing care to students with health concerns, early detection of problems through screenings, and mitigating the risks of liability. You cited the fact that the cost of health care is on the rise and how families often seek emergency services because they lack access to primary care providers. School Nurses provide a bridge to these services by linking families to appropriate resources. Often times a nurse on campus is the only connection that a student has to any resources at all. They say "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," and this is the basis for the Primary Health Care Model which School Nurses subscribe to. I also urge to you to consider that School Nurses are not just "support staff" but rather integral team members who care for and educate students, families, teachers, and staff members. I have no doubt that if one were able to complete a cost-benefit analysis one would find that School Nurses are "worth their weight in gold."

Every student deserves a school nurse.

Additionally, I believe that it's time we return to the core values of education and health care. This day and age brings about more complex issues. Mental health and health problems in general have increased and are more complicated. Students feel that the "nurse's office" is a safe place to go and nurses often play the role of counselor as well as advocate. I have faith that I will see the day when San Diego City Schools is in the "top ten" in terms of education as well as "top ten" for student to nurse ratios.

On a personal level this experience has been one that has challenged me and pushed me to grow farther than I ever have as an individual who is committed to making a difference. I consider it a true honor and an inspiration to be a School Nurse for this district. To be one of the "elite" few who care for our students, families, and staff. It is my expectation that the profession of School Nursing, over a century old, expands and grows instead of declining. I have made it my mission to be a voice for School Nursing because I believe by advocating for nurses, I am advocating for my students and families.

Dr. Grier, will you advocate for us?

"Be the change you want to see in the world"

-Quote by Mahatma Gandi

"Just don't give up on trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong."

-Quote by Ella Fitzgerald

Your partner in education,

Juliet dela Paz, RN, BSN

 

Within the next two weeks (May 15), the San Diego Unified School Board will be finalizing decisions on lay-offs or RIF notices for over 900 teachers.  This vote will happen on May 13 and will be in direct anticipation of the Governor's May budget revise, expected on May 14, the "day of the teacher!"  Let's keep the pressure on!  We can still make a difference! 

Call or e-mail the School Board! Pass around the cell phone at lunch or e-mail from home:

Luis Acle: (619)795-0400 luis.acle@cox.net
John deBeck: (619)276-2027 jdebeck1@san.rr.com
Mitz Lee: (858)695-8064 mitz@mitzlee.com
Katherine Nakamura: (619)287-4284 nakamura@cox.net
Sheila Jackson (the only one to vote against ALL layoffs): (619)549-6299 sjackso2@cox.net

 

 

 

Over 2,000 SDEA and CSEA members, parents, students and community members standing in solidarity with our SDEA/CSEA RIF’ed brothers and sisters turned out on April 22 to shame the School Board.

 

On April 19th, supporters marched from Balboa Park to the State Building in downtown San Diego to get the message heard! 

 

Dear Friends and Family,

Juliet was the top story on the 6pm newscast on Channel 10 last night!

If you haven't been paying attention, the state is threatening a huge $4.8 billion budget cut to education in the state! This will not only threaten the livelihood of teachers, school nurses, administrators, and key school support staff, but this threatens the level and quality of education for all our children as well has long-term impacts to the social fabric and infrastructure of our communities. With all the budget cuts taking place, my wife has been very vocal at the district and board meetings taking place. She was referred by the teacher's union president to speak and represent school nurses. They interviewed her extensively; of course, they put together the pieces that drum up the most drama. Anyways, she was great and I am very proud of her! It's been an extremely stressful time for Juliet as we anticipate a pink slip in the mail, but we would prefer for everyone to be in action against these threats as symbolic displays of encouragement and support. If you want to read the story or view the video online, go to: http://www.10news.com/news/15579980/detail.html
Click on the Video segment on the right side titled: School Nurses Feel Impact of Budget Crisis.

Again, I encourage you all to use your voice and be in action against the proposed cuts. I've included a link to the San Diego Unified School District website and to the California Teachers Assoc website. There are links to all the elected officials representing San Diego. If you are from somewhere else in California, you know these cuts impact the whole state and there are links to your representatives as well. Please take the time to send an email or a letter and bombard our officials with your concern about these cuts.  

To write your own letters (I provided tips at the bottom):
http://www.sandi.net/depts/gov_relations/ElectedOfficials/index.html
http://www.sandi.net/budget/whatcanido.html

 

For easy, click and send templates. Click “Take Action” button on “Reject Governor’s State Budget Proposal”:

http://capwiz.com/nea/ca/state/main/?state=CA

 

For more info about the Arnold’s cuts, check out this webvideo from California Teachers Association website:

http://www.cta.org/issues/current/Budget_Crisis_2008_Flash.htm

 

 

I thank you all in advance for your support!

 

Manny

 

How to Write Your Elected Officials

“Nothing just happens in politics. If something happens you can be sure it was planned that way.”
-President Franklin D. Roosevelt

You can send a letter to your elected official by regular mail, by e-mail or by fax. Because safety precautions have delayed regular mail, it is generally better to e-mail or fax your letter if you want your opinion to be registered right away. If it is not urgent, a letter by mail can be very effective and more personal. While it is always better to write your own letter or to personalize a form letter when possible, a form letter is better than nothing.

Steps:
1. State your name and who you are. Identify yourself as a constituent.

2. State your reason for writing and include the name and number of the relevant bill. Keep each letter to one issue.

3. Pick your three strongest talking points. Use examples and statistics to support your position.

4. Provide your contact information on both your letter and your envelope to receive a reply and to confirm you are a constituent.

5. Sign your letter.

6. Follow up with either a phone call, a visit or another letter at the appropriate time.

Tips:
• Always type or print.

• Send a copy of your letter to the editor of a newspaper or magazine if it’s relevant.

• Consider holding a letter-writing party or meeting to get other people involved.

Take the time to make a difference today and vote! Vote for whomever you want, just do it!