Sequoia Union High School District Approves Furlough Days

The Sequoia Union High School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday night approved shortening the work year for all district employees by two days next year through work furloughs caused by a budget deficit.

The two days off will be August 22, 2011 and January 9, 2012. Classes will not be in session either day due to previously scheduled breaks.

The district has already approved $5.03 million in budget balancing actions, including eliminating 33 full-time jobs, in an attempt to close its deficit going into the upcoming year.

Under Wednesday night's approval at the Board of Trustees meeting at the district office in Redwood City, the work year will be shortened to 185 days.

No district employees will be paid for the furlough time off of work.

In addition, the board members approved a new contract with the district teachers union after months of negotiations.

According to a district report, the contract will feature previously agreed upon step and column pay increases, but no new raises for teachers.

The Sequoia District Teachers Association began negotiating with the district administration in last winter, and reached an agreement the last day allowed for contract discussions, according to Greg Gruszynski, union representative.

"It took a long time, there were frustrating moments, but I felt it was a positive experience," said Gruszynski.

He thanked the administration and staff for collaborating with teachers during the negotiations, and for working out a deal that he said he believed was fair for both sides.

Regarding agreement on the furlough days, Gruszynski said it was a difficult for the union to accept.

"This was not an easy thing," he said. "But they were a result of cuts in funding from the state."

An overwhelming majority of the teachers union favored ratifying the contract, he said.

Ultimately, Gruszynski said he was happy with the final terms of the contract, and the process leading up to the board's approval. And also said the process should set a standard for future negotiations.

"We, as the teachers union, feel it is a good example of collective bargaining," he said. "I believe this is an example of the way we need to proceed."

Trustee Chris Thomsen thanked the bargaining teams of both the district and teachers union for being able to agree upon a contract during a difficult economic environment.

"The biggest asset the district has is its teachers," said Thomsen. "And we want to support that is every way we can."

He said he was disappointed that the union had to suffer pay cuts due to the furlough days.

But he agreed with Gruszynski in regards to hoping that these negotiations set a precedent for future bargaining.

"I hope the spirit of cooperation endures," said Thomsen.

Trustee Alan Sarver attributed the drawn out negotiation process to the bargaining teams updating terms in the contract that needed to be addressed, rather than rolling over the previous contract, as was done during the previous negotiation.

He also expressed appreciation to the bargaining teams for coming to an agreement that each side deemed fair.

"Thanks for the work both sides put in," said Sarver.

Trustees are expected to approve the district's final budget document for the upcoming fiscal year at the next board meeting on June 22.

In other business, the board welcomed newly hired Assistant Superintendent Morgan Marchbanks. She will replace Francisca Miranda, who is retiring. Marchbanks served as the principal of Sequoia High School from 2000 to 2009.