A little over a week ago, approximately 25 percent of the 1,700 employees in the Union City School District found out that they may lose their jobs at the end of the school year.
Caught in a struggle to grapple with cuts in state aid, the Union City School District went from having a $29 million surplus at the beginning of the year to losing an equal amount in state aid for this year and another $8.45 million in aid for next year.
The $213 million school budget for next year, approved at a school board meeting a month ago, now much shrink in order to weather the cuts. That means 450 non-tenured employees (210 teachers and approximately 240 non-instructional staff) may have to go.
However, not all of them will necessarily be laid off – some had to be notified by May 15 just in case.
The district plans to make final decisions after finding out how many senior teachers in the district will retire in June.
“It’s action that we certainly do not like to take,” said Superintendent of Schools Stanley Sanger about the layoffs. “It is not best for the community, district, or the children of Union City. But at the same time we’re going to meet the fiscal situation and do our best to continue quality of services in the classroom.”
Teachers who retire by June 30 may open up spots for the non-tentured.
________
But earlier this year, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie proposed a plan for all schools in New Jersey that had a surplus, by cutting state aid an equal amount so that the districts would have to gobble up their surplus.
Now, in addition to putting those projects on hold, Union City School District has been forced to figure out how to balance next year’s budget around the $8.45 million they’re losing in state aid while trying to hold onto their teachers.
“I have trust and faith in [Stanley] Sanger that he’s going to do everything he can to bring the majority of them back,” said Mayor Brian Stack last week.
The mayor added that he will assist those who aren’t rehired to find other employment.
Tenure and attrition
Employees must work for the school district for three years and a day in order to be eligible for tenure.
Approximately a quarter of Union City School District’s employees are non-tenured. Most of them were hired because of openings created by other teachers leaving or increased school enrollment, Sanger said.
Each year, non-tenured employees at school districts throughout the state face the possibility of not being rehired and receive notices similar to the ones distributed in Union City a few weeks ago.
Those who received the notices in mid-May may even find themselves rehired at the end of June as new spaces open up.
According to Sanger, spots may be left open as many tenured employees are considering early retirement now that Gov. Christie prepares to introduce new bills that will change the pension system.
“We’re hoping to rehire most, if not all, of the people who received non-renewal letters,” said Sanger.
But the final number of retirees won’t be known until the June 30 deadline for teachers to give notice that they are retiring – and many are waiting to see the governor’s next move before they make their decision. The move could cut sick benefits and vacation banks for those who fail to retire by a certain date.
Sanger said that the uncertainty is rought, because they are usually setting up classes by now.
But he said that they will watch how things play out over the next few weeks.
What’s being cut
Teachers in some New Jersey school districts have voluntarily opted to take pay cuts instead of having layoffs.
Sanger said that is not a major consideration in Union City at this point, but they are keeping all options on the table.
Some definite plans that are in place, according to Sanger, are not replacing administrators who retire from their positions, and putting a priority on rehiring for instructional positions.
“The kids in the classroom come first,” said Sanger.
He added that although extended day programs (such as tutoring and summer activities) could be cut, direct services to children would not be affected.
Additionally, if there are a significant number of teachers who cannot be rehired, class size may increase a bit, he acknowledged.
Sanger approximated three to five additional students per class, but said the increased class size would not be seen at every level.
The student to teacher ratio in Union City elementary schools is currently 19:1, but the ratio varies in high schools because the classes are divided by subjects.
Budget set for next year
The budget for the upcoming school year was presented to the public last month, and Sanger said it did not include any tax increases.
“That’s one thing we’re very cautious about,” he said. “Because it hurts the entire community.”
Union City does not have an elected board of education. Rather, the mayor appoints members of the board, which oversees the superintendent.
After the budget is struck by the business administrator, it is presented to Board of School Estimate (positions are held by the mayor and two commissioners to monitor how the Board of Education’s fiscal practices are affecting the city).
Upon their approval, the budget is sent to the Hudson County Superintendent of Schools and the state.
The public does not get to vote on the budget in Union City, but was invited to raise questions and concerns at last month’s meeting.
Bad timing?
District officials had until May 15 to let non-tenured employees know that they would not be brought back next year, a customary practice each year.
Sanger reportedly informed the Board of Education about the layoffs on April 29, but notices were not handed out until after May 11 – which was the day of the mayoral election.
The timing set off a fury of allegations from critics that the layoff notices were held back until the election was over, but Sanger denied any connection.
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.