The Saline teachers union has agreed to concessions that will allow the district to retain six teachers who would otherwise be laid off, district administrators said this afternoon.

The union and the district reached an agreement Tuesday to give up “optional teacher training,” said Steve Laatsch, the district’s spokesman, and Tim Heim, the union president.

The move will free up about $320,000 in the 2010-11 school year and $160,000 in the 2011-12 school year.

That money means six of the 63 teachers who received layoff notices from the district earlier this year are being recalled. One other teacher is also being recalled, thanks to the resignation of a teacher who did not get laid off, Laatsch said.

Although 63 notices were issued, district administrators have said only 20 positions were expected to be eliminated.

The days given up are included in the budget for training each year, Laatsch said. For example, if a district teacher wanted training in a specialized program, or in using technology, the district would pay the teacher. If everyone who is eligible for the day uses it, it would cost the district about $160,000 a day.

The layoffs are part of the district’s attempt to cut about $3 million from the 2010-11 budget.

Teachers received layoff notices based on a complex formula of seniority and what grades and subjects they are qualified to teach.

“This culminates weeks of diligent work by the leadership of both parties,” Heim said in an e-mail. “The details of this agreement will meet the stringent guidelines of the Michigan Education Association, which disallows locals from reopening current collective bargaining agreements.

“It is the association's understanding that teachers and programs will be reinstated for students by this agreement. “

David Jesse covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidjesse@annarbor.com or at 734-623-2534.

Tags: , , ,

Related Content

Comment Now