Milford schools float giveback or furlough
MILFORD — The Board of Education floated several ideas for concessions to its unions, including giving back 1 percent of next year’s raises for a savings of about $600,000, or a one-day furlough for a $290,000 savings, sources said.
School board Chairman David Hourigan, D-4, confirmed the school board met with representatives of about 1,000 employees Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss possible cost-saving measures. He declined to elaborate, saying the talks were private.
“There were no proposals made, but there were discussions about various scenarios depending on what the Board of Aldermen does on May 6,” Hourigan said.
But sources said school board members asked unions to consider possibly giving back 1 percent of their raises effective July 1 to save $600,000, and broached the idea that if every school employee were to take a day off with no pay, it would generate $300,000 in savings.
On average, teachers will receive a 4.8 percent pay increase next year, but only about 100 of first- and second-year teachers actually receive a raise that high, as teachers with more experience get a 3 percent increase. School custodians are scheduled to get a 3 percent raise next year.
Sources said the unions essentially told school board members the bargaining units all have contracts and they expect the board to honor those agreements. Union officials also told board members that, unlike most city employees, they contribute to their health care costs, saving taxpayers $1.9 million for this year alone.
Board members told union members layoffs would be a “last resort,” and the discussions were cordial. The school board did not say the 1 percent givebacks or furloughs were specifically proposed, as that could change if aldermen further cut the budget in May.
The school board reduced its proposed $83 million budget by $800,000, and at the time said that would lead to cuts of up to 10 staff positions, including five media aide positions.
The Board of Finance last month trimmed another $817,950 from the school board proposal, which could mean more positions could be eliminated.
A school union member, who asked not to be identified, said city unions have gotten a lot of attention because of “concessions” they agreed to, including taking no increase next year. However, the school union member said the city unions did not agree to real concessions because their contract expired at the end of this year, and the new contract was agreed to as part of the negotiation process. Five of eight city unions agreed to not take a raise next year, saving taxpayers $850,000. The savings is based on the fact that all city unions were slated to receive a 2.5 percent increase.
The biggest unknown in the concession talks is that the district is expecting to receive money through the federal stimulus package. It’s been estimated the total could range from $2 million to $5 million over two years, but officials said it’s unclear how the money will be distributed, and how it can be spent. School officials said they hope to use some of the money to offset staff reductions.
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