Teachers make concessions in contract, savings for district estimated at $15 million

Clark County School District employee layoffs became less likely Thursday when the teachers union ratified a contract with concessions that will relieve the district of $15 million in obligations in 2010-11.

Because the support employees union has also agreed to $10 million in concessions, the two unions essentially filled most of a $26 million gap between projected revenue and expenses that remained in next year's budget.

"These two unions are trendsetters by their example during a fiscal crisis," Superintendent Walt Rulffes said. "The Legislature and community need to remember this gesture of support, sacrifice and compassion for students and their fellow K-12 employees."

The Clark County Education Association, which represents teachers, and the Education Support Employees Association represent about 95 percent of the district's 38,000 employees. Both groups agreed to freeze longevity pay raises in the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.

The district has budgeted for a total funding shortfall of $145 million for 2010-11 because of state funding cuts and an anticipated drop in property tax revenue.

"Part of the deficit we were looking at assumed we had to do step increases," said Jeff Weiler, the district's chief financial officer, referring to annual pay increases given to employees for longevity and for earning additional academic credentials.

Because of the union concessions, "that's (about) $26 million that we're not going to have to increase in the budget," Weiler said.

The district is still in negotiations with unions representing police and school administrators. Stephen Augspurger, executive director of the Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-technical Employees, said his union is also close to a contract with concessions to save the district more than $2 million. The administrators may agree to take three furlough days that are the equivalent of a 1.5 percent pay cut.

To pare the budget, the district is planning to cut 110 administrative positions and 540 teaching jobs, but displaced employees are expected to find other jobs in the district.

The School Board also voted 5-2, with School Board members Larry Mason and Linda Young dissenting, to amend the contracts with five executive employees: Deputy Superintendent for Student Services Charlene Green, general counsel Bill Hoffman, Deputy Superintendent for Instruction Lauren Kohut-Rost. chief human resources officer Martha Tittle and Weiler.

The amendment will increase their number of furlough days next year from one to five. The savings is expected to amount to $15,000.

Young and Mason have criticized the fairness of these executive contracts because of the new perks they awarded the five employees in October, which totaled more than $100,000.

Contact reporter James Haug at jhaug@reviewjournal.com or 702-374-7917.