District 88 cuts 19 more staff

27 full-time equivalent positions cut next year

By KREMENA TODOROVA

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM - The District 88 Board of Education on Monday cut 19 staff members, as part of measures to reduce its budget by $1.3 million in 2001-2002.

The board approved two resignations and two retirements, terminated 12 probationary teachers, and placed three others on unrequested leave of absence with no benefits.

"It feels like the process is cold and regimented," said board member Mark Wiger, referring to the brevity of the special meeting Monday and the formality of resolutions passed. "This is a necessity regarding the legal contractual language. ... We certainly realize these people have done good work for us. It is very difficult to take this type of action."

"This is not in any way reflective of individuals' performance," stressed Board Chair Sue Ullery.

With five additional retirements or resignations approved earlier, the number of people cut reaches 24.

Of these, two (a middle school science teacher and a PE teacher shared by Washington Elementary and the middle school) were offered to be hired back half-time.

"It is our intention that these two individuals remain with us," said Superintendent Harold Remme.

The three teachers placed on unrequested leave (an industrial technology, a kindergarten and a fifth-grade teacher) have recall rights.

It means they will be automatically called back to their jobs, if, in the next two years, a position opens in their field.

In all, the board has announced intentions to cut the equivalent of 27 full-time jobs in 2001-2002. This amounts to 7.4 percent of the district's staff.

The staff reductions, combined with smaller equipment and supplies budgets, projected cuts of coaches, and higher fees for athletic activities, are intended to counteract the effect of falling enrollments and decreased state and federal funding.

Last November, the district failed to gain support for a local tax increase that would have helped bridge the $1.3 million funding gap.

This year it scaled back its busing program, and is expected to net $75,000 in savings for the year.

The board's action Monday differed partly from its earlier intentions. The unanticipated resignation of an elementary counselor allowed the board to keep a social worker previously marked for termination.

According to Remme, the social worker's duties will be slightly realigned.

Beside the positions mentioned, staff who resigned or were terminated Monday include a learning disabilities specialist, an art and a PE teacher at the senior high, a Washington Elementary music teacher, an English as a Second Language teacher, two sixth-grade and a third-grade teacher, two senior high English teachers, a senior high math teacher and a juvenile detention specialist.

Staff who resigned previously include a business and a social studies teacher at the senior high, a fourth-grade teacher and a middle school band instructor.