Mixed message Mixed message (May 06, 2005)

Classifed employees honored with designated week, and hour cuts
by Rebecca Guyon

Classified employees received mixed messages from the Board of Trustees at last Tuesday's meeting as the Trustees unanimously approved a resolution declaring May 15-21 "Classified Employees Week" and only minutes later approved reductions in classified employee hours.

"I just want to reiterate thanks to all the classified employees for their on-going support," said Trustee Juanita Haugen before moving to the next agenda item, "Layoff or reduction of classified employees' services for the 2005-2006 school year."

"The timing concerns us the most," said Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Clem Donaldson. "Here we are celebrating classified employees and then this. But we have to do this now because decreases in employee hours have to happen 45 days before the end of the school year so the employees can prepare. It's a consideration for the employees."

The Board unanimously approved a reduction of 21 hours per day in classified employee hours across the district effective June 30.

Classroom aides received the largest reduction of nine hours and health clerks the smallest with one hour. School clerks and parent advocates also received hour reductions of four and seven hours, respectively.

These adjustments were necessary due to changes in enrollment patterns, Donaldson said.

"We know that there are projected decreases in elementary school enrollment," Donaldson said. "Likewise support staff will be adjusted, otherwise we will be overstaffed in one area and understaffed in another."

Donaldson noted that compared to the number of employees hired in the district, a 21-hour reduction is relatively small, although he recognized that it was large to the affected employees.

May 17 the district will honor classified employees with a reception in the Village High School multipurpose room in conjunction with "Classified Employee Week."

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