Glendale Unified School District is running out of time: either 72 teachers will be laid off in a week, or negotiations between the district and the teachers union must resume ahead of a fact finding process. A mandate following that fact finding, the last resort of the district, could result in either of two undesirable outcomes: an imposed agreement with three-year contract negotiation reopening in October 2010 (just two months later), or a teacher strike.
At an open “Fireside Chat” last night, parents and teachers got details on the timeline and sticking points from two Glendale Unified School District board members. If the union does not return to negotiations, a fact finding panel is scheduled for July 16. That panel has 30 days to present a report, bringing the district to mid-August, and then the district has 10 days to respond, just days before of the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year.
Two takeaways:
(1) The district’s working budget changes from meeting to meeting. According to board member Christine Walters, whereas the district budget used to be discussed twice a year, it is now the main topic of discussion at every single meeting, “and they are long discussions.” Falling revenues from the state, and impacts of the ongoing state budget crisis, are to blame.
(2) A survey of Glendale residents showed strong resistance to a parcel tax, with respondents rejecting the idea of underwriting sharply higher benefit costs for district employees, as higher health care costs are impacting everyone.
The board members encouraged attendees to invite other parents and teachers to upcoming “Fireside Chats” with the next one scheduled for June 24, 7 p.m. at the Dad’s Club on Canada Blvd. (between the baseball field and the fire station).
RELATED CONTRACT NEWS: Also announced at yesterday’s Fireside Chat were agreements reached with non-teaching unions and associations whose members are employed by GUSD, saving the district $1.2 million. Details of the agreements are in today’s Glendale News-Press.
Private Schools…..Pinecrest(secular)….Catholic Schools…Christian Schools…have consistently done a better job of education in compared and contrasted to public schools…with FAR less money….public schools can go ahead and sink…NO MORE PUBLIC MONEY!!!!!!
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