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The layoff dilemma in the Maricopa Unified School District remains clouded in animosity and controversy.
There was little clarification after last Thursday’s meeting of the Board of Trustees.
The district has issued layoff notices to both teaching and classified employees and specifically targeted individuals for layoffs, including three teachers and the principal.
But the classified employees union is demanding the district negotiate the effects of layoffs.
At a special meeting June 25, Supt. Terry Wolfe suggested the sides meet to do just that, but nothing has happened.
Classified staff worked the entire school year without a contract and the union has accused the district of a lack of interest.
“We have not met to negotiate or discuss the effects of layoffs,” said Carol Georges, labor relations specialist for the California School Employees Association (CSEA).
The board met again in closed session Thursday to “receive information from the superintendent concerning classified negotiations,” but emerged a half hour later without taking any action.
“We are at a stalemate,” Georges said. “We are waiting for a response back to see where we’re at.”
Wolfe suggested the two sides meet on Aug. 9 to discuss negotiations.
“I thought that was to talk about the effects of layoffs,” Georges said.
“We can do both,” Wolfe replied, adding, “Let’s make the ninth negotiations and do layoffs after that.”
The district is still handing out layoff notices.
One part-time employee was handed a letter the morning of the board meeting cutting her hours down to two a day. Her husband, a full-time groundskeeper, was laid off in May.
“That’s a perfect example of what we’re going through,” Georges said. “It’s beyond a mess.”
In another cost-cutting move, the district announced it will not mail registration packets to students, instead sending a post card advising them to pick up the packets at the school or have the student take it on the first day of school.
The board also approved a golden handshake for a classified staffer who wants to retire.
Wolfe said the move will save the district money.
"i
The layoff dilemma in the Maricopa Unified School District remains clouded in animosity and controversy.
There was little clarification after last Thursday’s meeting of the Board of Trustees.
The district has issued layoff notices to both teaching and classified employees and specifically targeted individuals for layoffs, including three teachers and the principal.
But the classified employees union is demanding the district negotiate the effects of layoffs.
At a special meeting June 25, Supt. Terry Wolfe suggested the sides meet to do just that, but nothing has happened.
Classified staff worked the entire school year without a contract and the union has accused the district of a lack of interest.
“We have not met to negotiate or discuss the effects of layoffs,” said Carol Georges, labor relations specialist for the California School Employees Association (CSEA).
The board met again in closed session Thursday to “receive information from the superintendent concerning classified negotiations,” but emerged a half hour later without taking any action.
“We are at a stalemate,” Georges said. “We are waiting for a response back to see where we’re at.”
Wolfe suggested the two sides meet on Aug. 9 to discuss negotiations.
“I thought that was to talk about the effects of layoffs,” Georges said.
“We can do both,” Wolfe replied, adding, “Let’s make the ninth negotiations and do layoffs after that.”
The district is still handing out layoff notices.
One part-time employee was handed a letter the morning of the board meeting cutting her hours down to two a day. Her husband, a full-time groundskeeper, was laid off in May.
“That’s a perfect example of what we’re going through,” Georges said. “It’s beyond a mess.”
In another cost-cutting move, the district announced it will not mail registration packets to students, instead sending a post card advising them to pick up the packets at the school or have the student take it on the first day of school.
The board also approved a golden handshake for a classified staffer who wants to retire.
Wolfe said the move will save the district money.
