AURORA — Aurora Public Schools hopes to save $2.4 million next year by having high school teachers spend an extra period in the classroom. But teachers worry the budget-cutting measure will cut into their planning and one-on-one time with students.
Adding an additional class will save the district the equivalent of funding for 20 teacher positions at the high school level. Originally, the district had proposed cutting the equivalent of 40 teachers.
The school board Tuesday night gave initial approval to that plan, and other cuts amounting to $16 million in savings, but must cut another $4 million for the 2010-11 school year.
This school year’s budget was $268 million. The district must finalize its 2010-11 budget by July 1.
Brenna Isaacs, president of the teachers union for Aurora schools, said the union has filed a grievance with the district charging the addition of a teaching period is a breach of contract.
“We believe the cuts need to be made across all departments, top-to-bottom and all levels, and not focused on one level,” Isaacs said.
School board president Matt Cook acknowledged that the extra teaching period will take away from planning and student time at high schools. However, he said, these are tough times.
“Nobody wants to make these cuts, but these are cuts that have to be made,” he said. “Eighty-three percent of our budget is salary and benefits.”
The Aurora district also plans to reduce by 8 percent the number of nonschool-based administrative and technical employees. The district hopes those reductions will come through retirement and attrition.
There also will be a “strategic” hiring freeze for all but “critical” positions.
The budget woes for school districts across Colorado come as the state is cutting revenue at unprecedented levels.
Aurora Superintendent John Barry anticipates at least a $10 million budget shortfall for the 2011-12 school year and likely more.
“These cuts will impact every single staff member, not just the high school teachers,” Barry said. “They all hurt.”
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com
Previous versions of this story gave a different amount for the 2011-12 budget shortfall.
