By Megan Hess
Review Staff Writer
It’s no surprise Lake Orion Community Schools are searching for ways to keep the budget under control in the coming years while facing huge cuts in funding. But could cutting teacher and staff salaries and benefits be one of those ways?
‘I can understand salary cuts because of the economy, but I’m certainly not in favor of it,? said Leann Lowe, a teacher at Lake Orion High School. ‘None of us want to go there but, at the same time, we’re thrilled we have jobs.?
Negotiations will be underway this summer as the Lake Orion Education Association (LOEA) bargaining teams work on new contracts.
‘I am sure anyone you speak to on the LOEA Bargaining Team will tell you that the LOEA and the district have not come to an agreement for a new contract,? said Doug Kline, a new retiree and former member of the bargaining team. ‘We are continuing to negotiate in good faith as negotiation sessions have been scheduled for over the summer months.? The LOEA looks forward to continuing the bargaining process.?
‘At this point, that is about all we can say,? he added.
Some LOCS administrators will also renew contracts this summer, and community members are wondering whether administrative salaries and benefits are on the chopping block.
‘I find it interesting the school board has not suggested the administration lead by example and ‘take one for the team,?? said Kris Murphy in a letter to the editor in The Review.
The four district administrators ? superintendent, two assistant superintendents and executive director of Human Resources ? make a combined $645,644 without health insurance or benefits.
According to Superintendent Ken Gutman, administrators have donated their raises back to the district or taken a pay freeze over the last several years.
‘Basically, central office has contributed in the past and I anticipate that we’ll be fully cognizant of state finances,? he said of this year’s contract.
As for cuts in their pay?
‘Honestly, I don’t know that we’re at that stage yet,? Gutman said, referring to the timeline of the discussions.
Lake Orion administrator salary and benefits packages make up lower percentages of the district’s budget than the nationwide average, according to Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services Jillynn Keppler. The national average was 3.3 percent in 2005 and LO’s was 1.2. Comparison information is available on the district’s Web site, www.LakeOrion.k12.mi.us.
‘It’s important to say that all of our employee groups across the board have been very prudent in their efforts to keep the district fiscally responsible,? Keppler said.
Usually, central office administrators? contract agreements follow what’s been negotiated for the district’s other bargaining groups.
‘Central office has always taken what at-will employees get, based on the contract, and follows what bargaining units settle at,? said Keppler.
Although, according to the superintendent, percentage of pay increase for the central office has been less than the bargaining units over the past several years.