Fillmore Unified School District

Human Resources Consultant Bev Jones disclosed that 66 Fillmore Unified School District teachers and two administrators received layoff notices for the 2010-2011 school year.

Accusation packets were sent Monday by the District to those employees who want a hearing with a hearing officer and the District, which is set for April 19. Employees who received the reduction in force notices were chosen, based on seniority and job availability in the District next year. For example, 13 of 25 teachers at Mountain View School have received notices. Those laid off can “bump” someone with lesser seniority in positions that they are qualified to fill. The District is trying to eliminate the expected $887,000 deficit in next year's budget. They are currently in negotiations with the teacher's union to try to eliminate the deficit.

Theresa Marvel, the FUSD Teacher's Association President, said they have presented the District with some other ways to cut the deficit then at the classroom level. “We have a great proposal on the table for the District,” she said. The teachers agree to take off five days without pay next year. Marvel said this would still meet the State requirement for 175 student days. Another proposal is to pilot a change in the health insurance program from Net Access to the Net Value program. The union has also put out a retirement proposal for senior teachers. The cost savings would depend on the number of people retiring. Marvel said they are proposing for next year that class size in grades K-3 would increase from 23 to 25 students. That would eliminate the need for one teacher. “I am thoroughly concerned,” Marvel said. “I cannot see how teachers would believe that eliminating class size reduction is helpful. We want our kids to be educated and prepared, she continued. We're here to work at educating students in the best way. We want our community to wear yellow ribbons to show support for our teachers. We also want the community to call school board members and attend school board meetings.”

Marvel feels the District wants to close Sierra High School because the three teachers and administrators were each given notices, while, at the same time the District has put out bid proposals to renovate the school. The district has plans to build an administrative room and several classrooms. She added that the board is considering lowering high school graduation requirements to meet only the bare minimum required by the State. She said the classes that the district is considering to be eliminated would be one year of English, math, social studies and health education.

Bev Jones said that class size is negotiable with the Fillmore Teacher's Association. She noted that District administrators have already agreed to a two percent salary cut for next year. She added that temporary teachers automatically receive layoff notices. Her department initiated the teacher list according to seniority. She said that because Piru School is in negotiations to be a charter school they will have their committee hearing on April 6 and that could change the layoff outcome. Jones said some special ROP programs, such as photography, agriculture and auto class are exempt from being eliminated. “I am an optimist,” she said. “We are trying to come to an agreement with the FUTA. If we reach an agreement we might be able to pull back notices.” There were no layoff notices sent to teachers last year, but some classified employees including para-educators were cut. Jones has worked as a consultant with the District since September of last year. Todd Schieferle, formerly the middle school principal, has been appointed as the Human Resources Director and is participating in the negotiations with the FUTA.

District Superintendent Jeff Sweeney was unavailable to comment. The District and teachers will return to the negotiating table April 1.