COAL TOWNSHIP - Twenty-two teachers at Shamokin Area School District could be furloughed tonight, according to a school board member.
If the board proceeds with the move, it could lead to elimination of the district's elementary music program - news of which reportedly brought both students and faculty to tears.
Brian Persing said Wednesday that "the furloughs are on the agenda" for tonight's special meeting of the school board but that the total of 22 teachers remains a tentative number.
The number of teachers facing furlough is up from last week's estimate when Charlie Shuey, board director, confirmed that board members were given a list by school administrators with 18 positions considered.
If 22 teachers are laid off, Persing said the district would save $1.3 million.
Shamokin Area faces an enormous budget deficit entering the 2012-13 school year.
The estimated shortfall began at $5.6 million last fall and was reduced by more than $1 million through cuts in purchases of equipment and materials like text books.
The remaining red ink must be eliminated by the June 30 deadline to pass a balanced budget.
If the school board fails to balance its budget, Persing said the state Department of Education will do it for them.
"They'll come in and they'll make the cuts and they won't care where the cuts go," he said. "At least now we have control of what we're gonna do."
Persing said retirements will effect how many staff members remain furloughed at the start of next school year.
Of the 22 teachers considered for furlough, Persing said 11 are tenured. If upward of 11 teachers retire before next school year, he said as many as six of the tenured teachers could return prior to the start of school.
Persing put the unofficial number of retirements at nine.
Sam Scicchitano, president of the district teachers union, reserved comment until the board makes its decision.
The board will meet at 7:30 tonight in the cafeteria of the middle/high school. A work session is scheduled for 7 p.m. Both meetings are open to the public.
The board will meet behind closed doors for an executive session at 5:30 p.m.
'Possible scenarios'
Superintendent James Zack said Wednesday that he met the past two days with members of the district staff. He wouldn't say how many he met with or if he specifically told them they would be laid off.
"Certainly you can tell people what the possible scenarios are but only the board can furlough somebody," Zack said.
Both Shuey and Persing said they were under the impression that teachers were specifically told they would be laid off.
Shuey took exception with administration meeting with the teachers.
"The problem is over the years here, the administration has become accustomed to doing things and then informing the board. This board feels we're the final authority and they shouldn't be doing these things," he said.
Shuey reiterated that he won't cut staff "until cuts to district administration are finalized."
Persing acknowledged that hurt feelings will arise from any furloughs but, he said, the board has an obligation to balance the budget.
The nine-member board must erase the deficit, he said. After that, Persing said they can review the cuts, explore potential changes and fight over what to bring back.
"I would rather get to our number and then argue about what we're going to bring back," he said.
Students informed
Middle and high school students of the school's music department were told Wednesday that the elementary music program will be eliminated, students said.
Members of the chorus, orchestra and band were gathered in the band room during first period, according to students, when orchestra leader Barbara DeGaetano gave the word - district administration informed an elementary music teacher that the plan is to cut the music program from kindergarten through eighth grade.
Persing said he was aware of the announcement.
Many students were upset, students said, causing some students and faculty to come to tears.
DeGaetano, according to the students, said they must all try their best to keep what has been built.
Attempts to reach DeGaetano, high school band director Kevin Styer and several members of the music department for comment Wednesday were unsuccessful. Officials of the band boosters declined comment.
Persing said if money is found in the budget, the elementary music program could be revived.
Not yet final
The four elementary and middle school music teachers are among at least 18 district teachers listed last week for possible furlough, along with nine general education teachers, two art teachers, two physical education teachers and a library teacher.
Like the elementary music program, elementary art and physical education face elimination.
Shuey and Zack each stressed that while word is spreading of the furloughs, a final decision has not yet been made by the nine-member school board.
"All these cuts are proposed cuts," Shuey said. "They may become reality but they haven't as of yet."
The school board won't likely be able to avoid dismissing general elementary education teachers hired over the past two years, Shuey said. However, he said he does not support laying off two elementary physical education teachers - which he said would "effectively eliminate" that program - and four elementary music teachers.
"It's a terrible situation and no matter which way we go, people are going to suffer. There's no getting around it," Shuey said.
Zack acknowledged the difficulty board members face in making a decision to furlough an employee.
"I think it's a challenging time for our district as well as every district. It's terrible," he said.
Persing estimated tonight's meeting would draw upward of 300 attendees. He'd been told cast members of this year's high school musical are expected to attend in full costume.
Students of the music programs and their parents have also been encouraged to attend, students said.