[April 09, 2008]

TUSD elimination of 39 teaching jobs may be short-lived

(Arizona Daily Star, The (Tucson) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Apr. 9--The TUSD governing board late Tuesday approved a plan to eliminate the jobs of 39 first-year elementary school teachers as the district faces ongoing budget struggles.

However, the district's central administration expects that all of the teachers will likely be hired back by August to fill teaching positions created by attrition and turnover.

The board approved the job cuts 4-1, with board member Judy Burns voting no.

Earlier in the meeting, the board got a final report from the consulting firm hired to audit the district.

The Tucson Unified School District is in "dire need" of a long-term facilities master plan and should make a reorganization of its central administration a top priority, officials from MGT of America Inc. said.

The district could see savings of between $4.7 million and $6.7 million a year if it closes eight schools and two alternative high school programs, according to MGT.

"The amount of savings from a school closure is difficult at best to define," said Edward P. Humble, senior partner with MGT, which originally pegged the savings at $260,000 based on incorrect calculations.

The elementary schools -- Corbett, Erickson, Menlo Park, Ochoa, Rogers and Wrightstown -- and Naylor Middle School average 94 percent of capacity, while Santa Rita High School and the Downtown Alternative and PACE Alternative high school programs average 90 percent.

TUSD already has been working to close Corbett, Ochoa, Rogers and Wrightstown and move the two alternative high school programs.

Any school closure has to include deep community involvement, effective communication and a unified front from district officials, Humble said.

The closure must also address parent and community requests about what happens to unique educational programs at specific schools and how to move students, teachers, staffs and administrators with the least amount of disruption.

Any closures must follow clear guidelines and the district is in "dire need" of a long-range facilities master plan, Humble said.

For example, the district could save $6.4 million over five years if it would reduce the number of portable classrooms by half. The district currently has 311 portables.

The consultants also provided a range of recommendations for the district, including a reorganization of the central office.

Board member Adelita Grijalva explicitly asked if the district is "top-heavy" with administrators.

"We found that you can reorganize your central office to be more efficient and effective. There are some positions that are duplicative," said JoAnn Cox, another MGT consultant.

Other recommendations include a plan to manage health-care costs, hiring an internal auditor who would report directly to the board, evaluate all transportation routes, create a central technology department and hire a chief technology officer at the executive level.

Superintendent Roger Pfeuffer said implementing the recommendations will be difficult, noting that there is little overlap between what MGT identified as top priorities and what the consultants said would be the quickest and least disruptive to accomplish.

Budget deficit slashed

In another issue, the district's budget deficit for the current year is down to $2 million from $9.5 million in September. The savings have come primarily from vacant positions, a hiring freeze and reductions in overtime spending.

If the district does not close the $2 million gap by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, it will be penalized by the state with a reduction for next year in the same amount it exceeds this year's budget.

The district's 2009 fiscal year budget deficit is projected at $6.3 million, with various budget cuts lowering the projection from $16.9 million. Each percentage of a raise for employees would add another $2.7 million to the budget.

"The amount of savings from a school closure is difficult at best to define."

Edward P. Humble, senior partner with MGT

--Contact reporter Eric Swedlund at 573-4115 or at eswedlund@azstarnet.com.

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