Dist. 300 won't cut staff counseling
A program that provides counseling to employees dealing with crises and mental health issues is among the items the Community Unit District 300 administration has removed from a list of proposed reductions for next year.
Since the Employee Assistance Program was included on the list of proposed cuts last month, district employees have spoken out in favor of the program, saying its benefits, especially in a period of financial uncertainty, outweighs the small potential savings.
"This was an employee benefit that was really useful," school board President Joe Stevens said. "This assists us in keeping our employee base working on an even keel."
The administration announced the changes in an e-mail Friday to parents and staff. According to the e-mail, the package of $6.4 million in recommended cuts remains the same except for the following changes:
• The Employee Assistance Program will be retained at an estimated cost of $38,000.
• The district would not specifically look to cut high school art, advanced languages or technical education. Instead, administrators would eliminate four high school positions based on the elective courses that receive the least interest.
• Administrators would take nine to 12 unpaid furlough days, with higher paid employees taking the most. The furlough days would amount to a 3- to 5-percent pay cut for affected employees.
Teacher's union President Kolleen Hanetho said letting student demand drive high school staffing levels mirrors what the district does each year after students register for classes.
"It is very much student-driven," Hanetho said. "That's a more logical way to do that. Targeting one particular subject area over another does not make any sense."
Officials also are considering more than $1 million in transportation cuts, and negotiating with the district's unions for more reductions, in a bid to save $6.4 million.
Anticipating another $18 million in state funding delays, the district could be looking at even further cuts next year.
The school board is set to vote on the proposed reductions Feb. 22. District employees should learn of their fates March 8.