Woodland Hills School Board Approves Budget with Job Cuts, No Tax Increase

Woodland Hills School Board Monday approved an $82.2 million budget by a 6-to-3 vote, all with the difficult task of cutting corners, keeping vital programs and holding the line on taxes.

This meant cuts in other areas across the district. Board member Colleen Filiak proposed a motion that would increase the tax index by 1.8 percent. The motion failed 7 to 2 after most board members agreed they could make this year’s budget work without having to increase taxes.

School district areas that will see cuts include the athletic department, which was cut by more than $43,000. Athletic Director George Novak explained that the department would do away with programs that suffer from lack of participation. This includes girls’ golf and the ninth-grade sports programs, since most students are transitioning to junior varsity at the moment. They will also incorporate the seventh- and eighth-grade programs into the junior high.

The building budget across the district was cut by $204,928 by decreasing spending by $77 per student, excluding junior high and the high school.

“There’s money left on the table each year,” Filiak said. “We can make cuts here.”

In addition, a total of $218,230 will be cut from various departments, including the offices of the superintendent and assistant superintendent, public relations, building and grounds, and the board.

Positions throughout the district also will be terminated. Of the positions being eliminated, the federal program director and his secretary will be let go. In addition, 26 secondary teachers, 12 to 13 elementary teachers, three building administrators, five to six central office administrators, nine to 10 support staff, six to seven paraprofessionals, and 15 custodial positions will be eliminated (including five from retirement or resignation).

The Woodland Hills Academy, which was facing a potential closing this year, will not only remain open, but will keep the extra 15 days of its extended schedule.

“Cutting those extra days would be detrimental to the program,” Principal Reginald Hickman said. “The Academy’s willing to do its part. I took a pay freeze this year, along with others. We’ll do what we have to.”

The pay freezes come as a result of the elimination of the 2-percent salary increase as defined by Act 93. Those affected include support and custodial staff, teachers, principals like Hickman and other administrators not on contract.

After all was said and done, the board approved a budget of $82,193,268, in a 6-to-3 vote. Board members Robert Tomasic, Fred Kuhn and Regis Driscoll opposed the proposed budget.

After the budget's approval, some adjustments were made to the school schedule. Holiday break was cut down to Dec. 22 until Jan. 3. Classes will start Aug. 22 and graduation will be on Friday, May 25. The board agreed that the shorter vacation would help the students prepare for the PSSAs, which follow closely after the hiatus. The board also agreed that the Academy and the rest of the district would have the same core 180 school days.

Toward the end of the meeting, Superintendent Walter Calinger made an announcement that he plans to form an ad hoc committee focusing on the financial and educational needs of the district. His co-chairs would be board members Dr. Randy Lott and Robert Rinsma. The committee will consist of parent, teacher, principal and student representatives among other district members.

“At the end of the day, our educational system should be what the community wants, not what some administrator or board member wants,” Calinger said. “With this new committee, we’ll have a more diverse group representing everyone, one that’s committed to quality education.”

The committee’s first meeting is expected to be in July.

“I feel we have a good start for progress,” board President Marilyn Messina said. “With this committee, we’ll be able to figure out what’s working and what’s not. And now that we have a budget, I’m glad we’ve eliminated the anxiety of the furloughed teachers and the community.”