School board approves budget with deep cuts

First-year Superintendent Jim Golden delivered an additional $170,000 in budget cuts Wednesday night, and got approval of the $11.4 million general fund budget, which is now down approximately $1,170,000 from last year's budget.

A majority of this reduction was achieved during annual contract negotiations with the teachers union, which concluded a week earlier.

To achieve the extra $170,000 reduction, the Sisters Education Association (SEA) agreed to convert two non-contact days to student-contact days: the first day after summer break, and the first day after spring break. In addition, two conference days were converted to student-contact days.

Last year the SEA agreed to defer "step" increases based on experience from last year to this year. In the recent negotiations they further agreed to reduce the step by one half, saving an additional $50,000. The final reduction was achieved by not filling an open custodial position ($34,000).

School board chair Chris Jones said, "I appreciate the concessions made by the teachers' union, which helped us reach a tenable solution to the budget problem. It is not pretty, but it is what it is."

"It is the worst that any of us has seen," said Superintendent Golden. "My understanding, without breaking any confidentiality, is that it (the contract) was approved overwhelmingly by the teachers. I think that shows that the teachers really recognize the position we are in, and recognize the importance of working with the citizens of Sisters and the school district. I commend them for their work."

Golden continued, "I think in partnership we achieved what the taxpayers want in approving our local option, which is smaller class sizes and quality education. So even in this trying time we are doing our best for what we believe the children deserve."

Golden noted that the Sisters School District will be the only district in Central Oregon, and possibly one of the only districts in the state, to offer a full number of student-contact days in 2011-2012. In addition, the district will have the best student-to-teacher ratio in Central Oregon and possibly one of the lowest in the state.

Jones thanked Golden for his efforts.

"It is commendable to you that we have done so without taking major hits to any programs in the district," Jones said.

"I want to echo what Jim said; it is always series of tradeoffs between compensation, and furlough days, and reducing staff. We made a great number of tradeoffs with an eye toward what is best for education in the district, and we thank our partners for that," said Jones.

The budget as now approved will still consume roughly one half ($700,000) of the district's contingency fund, leaving a balance of $700,000 to be applied toward the anticipated shortfall in the 2012-2013 budget.

In other school district news: The selection committee for a new Sisters High School principal kicked off Thursday with four pre-screened candidates coming in for a "four-legged" interview process. One leg is made up of two school board members and five community members. A second leg consists of teachers and staff from the high school. The third leg is a one-on-one interview with Superintendent Golden. The final leg will be interviews with students from the high school leadership team.

Two final candidates will be selected, and Golden will conduct due diligence for the finalists. Golden reports that each of the four candidates has excellent background and leadership experience.