Joint Press Release
Posted: June 18, 2009
The Minidoka County Joint School District #331 Board of Trustees and teachers from the Minidoka County Education Association (MCEA) have each ratified the negotiated contract for the 2009-2010 school year. The main points of the agreement reached included a 2.1% reduction in salaries for teachers and certificated staff via four “furlough” days unpaid, as well as, elimination of the “Friday Early Release” (which was used for instructional prep time) and the associated school bus routes. Instructional preparation time was reconfigured during the school day in order to assure quality instruction and eliminating the extra Friday bus runs.
In addition, the board effected a 3% salary reduction on the base for administrators (a net reduction of over 5% by including the a reduction in force of 2.25 administrators in the district), a 2.1% salary reduction for classified supervisors, a 2.1% decrease in classified salaries via four “furlough” days unpaid, a 2.1% reduction on activity stipends, and reductions in discretionary funds allocated to schools and departments.
This was a mutual effort to address declining enrollment in the district and the State of Idaho’s budget reductions in education for 2009-2010. According to Helen Wyant and Ernie Martinez, MCEA Co-Presidents, “much effort was taken to ensure the least possible adverse impact to student-teacher contact hours and academic achievement.” The main focus was making tough budget decisions that considered the best interest of the students and to assure the community that education remains a top priority in the district. “The district is financially sound and will continue to offer a quality education with no direct cuts to student programs or increases in class sizes”, stated Dr. Scott Rogers, Superintendent of Schools. The budget cuts were made with the intent to “live within our budget”, according to Board Chairman Brian Duncan. These budget cuts and changes in salaries have resulted in no loss of jobs despite several reassignments in personnel. It is also important to note that here will be no increases to taxpayers despite the cuts to the district in education funding.
Contact Person: Dr. Scott Rogers, Superintendent of Schools (208) 436-4727
By: Minidoka County School District