Setting the adjustment tone . . .

One of the components of our budget adjustment process is meeting with all bargaining units to identify ways to suspend or adjust compensation as we work through these difficult economic conditions. The first meeting was with the Principal Association. During this discussion, the principal representatives made the commitment to go to their members with the recommendation to suspend any potential raise due as a result of their negotiated agreement and also to take a 2.5% reduction in salary for the next budget year.

In addition, Central Office administrative staff will take between a 2.5% and 3% reduction in salary next year. Discussions with classified supervisors and non-represented staff will take place this week to identify adjustments for each of these groups. While many might say this is no big deal and expected of administrators, I am pleased by the willingness of these groups and individuals to step forward and set the tone for our adjustment process.

On Friday we met with TEA representatives to share information and to identify any ways that adjustments might be possible. Though the meeting was not planned to look at any specific areas, the Association identified a number of potential areas for consideration that might result in saving certified district positions. Again, the willingness to discuss suspending or adjusting salary was appreciated and demonstrates the culture of care and concern that is so much a part of the Tahoma way. As with our administrative staff, our teacher association is approaching this process in a collaborative, problem solving manner. My belief is that not all districts will be greeted with the same attitude when similar conversations are held.

Though only discussions and a tentative agreement thus far, the positive tone established by the Principal Association and TEA will bring energy to our budget team. We look forward to continued discussions and decisions that result in additional options for the board to consider as they make the difficult decisions necessary in this budget alignment process. I feel so blessed to work in a system facing significant economic adversity with the communication capacity and caring attitude that can result in us emerging from this process with a continued focus on meeting the needs of our young people through Classroom 10 and PLC's. Certainly the tone that has been established is characteristic of a PLC at the system level.