UCS issues layoff notices, reduces central office
and building-level administrative and support positions

Facing state aid reductions and increasing costs, the Utica Community Schools Board of Education on May 23 approved more than 200 layoff notices and eliminated central office administration and district-wide support positions.

As many of the teachers receiving notices are expected to be recalled, district officials expect an overall reduction of approximately 80 teaching positions as state lawmakers begin to finalize the school aid budget.

“Despite all the work we have done together in UCS to reduce operating costs, the reality is that our expenditures continue to outpace revenues,” superintendent Dr. Christine M. Johns said.
Earlier this year, a school aid package was proposed that impacted funding to schools in three ways: a reduction in the per-pupil foundation allowance, an increase in the mandatory retirement rate, and the end of one-time federal stimulus money.

Collectively, these changes reduced funding by $700 per pupil or approximately $20 million for the Utica Community Schools.

State lawmakers last week released an agreement for additional funding for schools that could reduce the cuts to schools by $200 or $5.8 million for Utica Community Schools. While this is a positive step, the first $100 of this funding would be earmarked for a one-time retirement cost reduction. The second $100 is contingent on districts meeting four out of five state-approved standards.

“Even with this latest development, UCS will be funded at a level that is less than the 2005-2006 school year,” Dr. Johns said. “The economic difficulties we face are the same ones that are impacting our municipalities, our neighborhoods and our families.”

As a result of declining state revenues and increased costs, the district began the 2011-2012 budget development process with expenditures outpacing revenue by approximately $36 million. Earlier this year, the Board of Education adopted two sets of reductions to lower the gap to $19 million. Earlier changes included more than 10 cost-saving reductions, such as administrative concessions, reduction of building and central office expenditures, use of one-time federal EduJobs funding, moving the district’s AdvancePath program from a rented facility to a district-owned site and requiring community education to be a self-supporting program.

The layoff notices and elimination of positions represent additional changes to balance the district’s budget prior to the new school year on July 1 in accordance with state law.

“Since nearly 90 percent of our budget is employee costs, it is impossible to make reductions without impacting the valued and dedicated members of our school community,” Dr. Johns said.

Layoff notices were issued to 207 teachers. Additionally, psychologist, social worker and speech and language positions were also reduced. The Board also authorized the elimination of central office and building-level administrative and support positions.

Over the past five years, Utica Community Schools has reduced its budget $65 million to address reductions in school aid funding and increased costs. These actions have included employee concessions and furlough days, 20 percent health care premiums for most employee groups, closing four elementary schools and the reduction of nearly 500 employee positions over the past five years.

“The staff and parents that make up Utica Community Schools have a history of working together,” Dr. Johns said.  “As we have so many times in the past, we need to put aside our frustration with the school funding process and continue to focus on our students within the constraints of our fiscal realities.”