40-46 positions expected to be affected

Layoff notices went out last week to 107 nontenured Arlington public school teachers and staff, but the number of layoffs is expected to be between 40 and 46 teaching positions, a news release sent from Superintendent Kathleen Bodie on June 1 says. A May 24 e-mail announced to staff that tenured teachers affected by budget cuts are to be notified by June 8, the day after the Gap Fund effort ends.

The fund is seeking to raise $1 million by June 7 to offset a $3.9 million school budget deficit. As of June 2, the effort's Web site says $288,299 has been received.

Bodie's e-mail says recall of some laid-off staff is expected depending on the amount the Gap Fund raises.

Asked in telephone and e-mail messages May 28 to confirm the number of staff affected by layoffs, Bodie responded with the June 1 release. It says:

"Due to a budget shortfall of $3.9 million, the Arlington Public Schools will need to layoff between 40-46 teaching positions. The exact number will be determined upon completion of the Bridge the Gap fundraising campaign. Additionally, secretarial support, custodial, teacher assistants, and traffic supervisor positions will be reduced.

"Upon the advice of labor counsel, layoff letters have been given to 107 pre-professional status teachers (teachers with 3 or less years experience in Arlington) in departments or job classifications. Fortunately not every department or discipline has been affected due to resignations, retirements, and leaves."

In an e-mail later June 1, Bodie clarified that Arlington is expected to lose 40 to 46 full-time equivalent teaching positions, numbers that do not necessarily equal to 40 to 46 teachers who will be laid off.

"Some positions held by teachers who retire, resign, or take a leave may not be filled," she wrote. "Some positions may be reduced to part-time positions, which affects a teacher, but the teacher would still have a job, although not a full-time position."

Wallis Raemer, interim assistant superintendent, added June 2 that, because of union rules, the administration sent letters to all nontenured staff, 107, knowing that many fewer would be laid off.

She also provided the broader picture: Arlington public schools employ 904 people, excluding substitute and some others. Making up the staff are 204 employees, including teaching assistants, traffic supervisors and coaches.

The number of dues-paying members of the Arlington Education Association is 435.

The release from Bodie says the following are the total number of letters sent to staff in each school.

Arlington High School: 22

Ottoson:  26

Bishop:  2

Brackett:   5

Dallin:  10

Hardy:  8

Peirce:  3

Stratton: 6

Thompson:  8

District: 17 (includes specialists, special education)

The release continues:

"Please note: The numbers among elementary schools is uneven, due to the different numbers of pre-professional teachers in each school.

"Professional status teachers who may need to be laid off will be given notices by June 15.

"Once we know exactly the number of positions in each discipline that will be available for next year, reappointment letters will be given to teachers. The majority of reappointment letters will be distributed before the end of school."

An e-mail Bodie sent May 24 under the subject line "Lay-off letters," provides the overall picture, but does not say how many are affected:

"Dear All,

Last Wednesday [May 19] Town Meeting approved our FY11 budget, a budget that cannot support our current staffing. Now I must send the notice that I hoped to avoid writing for many months.

"I am writing to let pre-professional teachers know that they will be receiving letters of non-renewal later this week due to the budget shortfall. Principals will meet individually with pre-professional teachers later this week, beginning on Wednesday, to distribute the letters. Most letters will be distributed on Thursday and Friday [May 27, 28].

"We have waited as long as possible to send these letters in order to determine if there are any departments or job classifications (i.e. elementary teachers, specialists) where the number of retirements, resignations or leaves would eliminate the need for lay-offs. There are only a couple of departments where reductions will be achieved without layoffs. In departments and areas where layoffs will be necessary, all pre-professional teachers will receive lay-off letters.

"A question many have asked is whether there will be recalls and, if so, when will they begin. There will be recalls.

"The number of recalls will depend upon the success of the Bridge the Gap Fund campaign, which ends on June 7 and upon possible federal funds from legislation sponsored by Senator Kerry to save teaching positions nationwide. The majority of recalls will likely occur before the end of the school year. Some may occur during the summer months.

"Professional status teachers who may be affected by budget reductions will be notified after June 8, but not later than June 15.

"This is sad news for everyone because each person affected is a valued colleague who is an important member of our community. Losing colleagues impacts all of us. While this isn’t the best way to start the week, I promised that I would tell you in advance when lay-off notices would be given and when to expect recalls. As I have more information, I will keep you up-to-date.

"Best wishes always,

"Kathy"

Ron Colosi Jr., president of the Arlington Education Association, was asked to comment May 28 but has not yet responded.

This story was first published May 31 and updated twice after that.

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