June 4, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Melissa Reeves, mdreeves@jeffco.k12.co.us, Jeffco Public Schools, 303-982-6567 Reductions included in the budget are136 fewer fulltime employees, with the majority of those staffing reductions managed through attrition, larger class sizes, fewer choices for electives and secondary credits, less classroom support, less office and building support, fewer transportation routes and less technology. The development of the $650 million budget was molded by over 3,000 Jeffco staff and community members. The Jeffco district faces $14.1 million in cuts and will utilize $36 million from the district’s reserve funds, totaling nearly $50 million in budget shortfalls. Fortunately, Jeffco is better positioned than most Colorado school districts with an ability to mitigate reductions by tapping reserve funds. “We have saved for a rainy day and that rainy day is here,” Jeffco’s Chief Financial Officer Lorie Gillis said. Jeffco’s recent agreement with the Jefferson County Education Association minimizes budget cuts through no cost of living increase for the 2010-11 school year and no increase to what the district pays in employee benefits. Teachers will receive steps (years of service) and levels (educational credits.) In the second year of the contract, steps will be frozen; teachers will not move on the salary schedule in 2011. However, teachers will get earned level increases. View the entire 2010-11 Executive Summary of the Proposed Budget. |