A calm, rational and fact-based dialogue about revenue and costs has set the tone for the budget workshops hosted by the El Tejon Unified School District during January.

These workshops are welcome. They are unlike anything seen in the 11 years I’ve covered this beat. But are all the ideas on the table?

Not really. Here is one no one has raised openly. It is a scenario which we doubt will be seriously considered.
It is a suggestion made by Richard Hoegh before he died in December. Richard hated seeing the annual ritual of younger teachers being laid off.

The report in today’s paper explains that the district is seeking to cut $800,000 from next year’s budget. The superintendent has found $400,000 in savings, but needs to cut $400,000 more. That means layoffs.

But everyone says they want to avoid layoffs.

If it is true that salaries consume 72% of the district’s $8,107,957 budget, then perhaps a 6.8% slice off the salary of every person who earns above $16 an hour could meet that $400,000 goal.

It would mean that most senior teachers would be asked to give up about $5,300 each. They would take home about $73,000 rather than $78,000. But that has not been presented as an option, nor discussed at the workshops yet.

Businesses have to talk about “right-sizing” all the time. The number of employees and the amount of money those employees are paid are always on the table—ask any business person on this mountain and beyond. We’ve all had to make such adjustments. Many of us are doing it right now.

We have a great team together at ETUSD

Would key players leave if there was a two-year “Work Together” agreement for a 6.8% across-the-board pay cut shared by all personnel who earn more than $16 an hour? Which is preferable: to abolish 4.5 teachers’ jobs completely or to keep the team together by everyone pitching in?

Layoff notices appear to be nearly prepared to be signed at the board’s February meeting.

At ETUSD, we’re told the majority of the 32 teachers still employed are in the ‘senior teacher’ category, who make about $83,000 a year. That is $5,000 in benefits added to about $78,000 in salary. The superintendent is being paid $116,000. This proposal would mean he would give up $7,880 next year. The business manager is at $82,000. She would give up $5,576—about the same as teachers.

Work Together Culture

The Work Together model—pioneered in its first steps by Chuck Mullen—would mean no layoffs and no combo classes, so less stress on each teacher and benefits for all students.

The district could get tons of positive national press and a reputation for nurturing a ‘Students First, Work Together’ culture if they took the plunge.

Incentive Design

Rough calculations show a gain of just 45 students will mean the full 6.8% can be restored to all employees.
That builds incentive into the proposal for all to do a great job for families and students.

Human Nature

But there is little chance that this idea will be seriously considered. The most senior teachers are running the union. They are close to retirement. Their own retirement benefits may be linked to their salary during the year before they retire.

On the other hand, if the trustees voted for this idea, the most senior teachers might decide to retire in this high-earning year, opening up the door for younger, less-costly, teachers.

But over the past three weeks, no one has brought up Richard Hoegh’s vision of a logical option. Why is that?

It is no secret that ETUSD Board President Vickie Mullen—who is doing a terrific job as board chair—happens to be married to the head of the teachers’ union—El Tejon Teachers Association President Chuck Mullen. Trustee Lark Shillig is married to FMHS teacher Bill Shillig. Trustee John Fleming’s daughter is employed by the district. These three form a majority.

They are all lovely people, but making a decision without the smallest hint of self-interest would require true valor.

We’re not saying it is impossible for a majority of this board to be unaffected by normal human concerns.

But it would be surprising and newsworthy to see a true Work Together solution seriously considered.

Valor is still possible. And it would not go unnoticed, here and around the country.

We will all be watching.

Postscript: A fund to benefit the schools is being set up in Richard Hoegh’s memory. What if 2,000 of us each pitched in $200? That would cover the shortfall and send the same message far and wide: ‘Falcon Pride is here to stay.’ Richard saw these schools as a shining light on the hill, worthy of keeping strong and bright.

—Patric Hedlund, Editor

Photo captions:

Of five ETUSD trustees, only Misty Johnston and Barbara Newbold do not have family members employed by the school district.

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