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Teachers stunned by layoff decision By DAMIAN MANN EAGLE POINT � A school board decision this week to lay off staff in order to slash an unprecedented $1 million from next year�s budget has left the teachers� union stunned. "We truly are in shock," said Jody Streetman, president of the Eagle Point Education Association. "It�s been devastating." She blames the Legislature for failing to adequately fund public education in recent years, leaving it up to districts throughout Oregon to pick up the pieces. "We have been struggling to maintain programs and staffing levels." The district has dipped into its reserves for the past two years to cover salary increases and other costs because it hasn�t received enough money from the state. "We had just begun to get our test scores up," said Streetman. "It (the cutbacks) hurts the economy of this valley. It hurts the morale at the schools." With cash reserves dwindling, the district is now forced to find almost $1 million in cuts � primarily by decreasing staff about 5 percent � to avoid running out of money. "It�s been a hard, hard road for our administrators," said Streetman. With about 80 percent of the $26 million budget devoted to salaries and benefits, the district has very little choice but to reduce staff. But the depth of the cutbacks � the largest in her 25 years with the district � came as a surprise. "We didn�t expect it. Until the association met with the superintendent, we didn�t think it would come to be." School officials predict a continued downward financial spiral unless something is done. "A lot of our fixed costs have gone through the roof," said Superintendent Bill Jones. The district is facing hikes in insurance premiums of 25 percent or more and salary increases of more than 3 percent to cover inflation. At the same time, revenues have not kept pace with expenses, he said. Eagle Point, like many other districts in Jackson County and throughout Oregon, is now facing financial problems. At the same time, the state demands they be held more accountable for education. The cutbacks should also help the district avoid even more painful financial problems in the future. "This decision now will put us in a much better place for years." But the budget reduction will not come without pain. Jones is hoping to cut staff through attrition and reductions in temporary staff, but he anticipates some permanent positions also will be affected. "We can�t do this without some hurt," said Jones. Everything from administration to athletics will be looked at for possible cutbacks, he said. Class sizes could also be increased. Jones, however, vows to keep the elementary school library program going, as well as the music program. Jones said he will now try to pinpoint which programs will be affected. Just two years ago, Eagle Point had $4 million in cash reserves, said finance director Greg Lecuyer. Then, coming into this fiscal year that amount dropped to less than $3 million. Lecuyer projects that next year that amount could drop to $2 million, and, left unchecked, that process could continue until the district runs out of money. "If we don�t do anything now, we will be in bad shape." He described the budget cuts as "proactive" to prevent a fiscal catastrophe in the coming years. "It�s a painful process," he said. "There�s no way around it." The cutbacks come as the district plans to build two new middle schools with $34 million in voter-approved bonds. This money is earmarked solely for school improvements and cannot be used to prop-up the general fund. Jones said that making the cuts now will put the district in a better position to handle ongoing costs for the planned new schools. Despite the cutbacks, Streetman vowed, "We will not compromise our integrity as educators." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.