Teachers Disagree It’s Emergency Bonner County Union Criticizes Board For Reaction To State Cut

The Bonner County teachers union says school officials went overboard this week by declaring a financial emergency for the district.

“Action by the Bonner County School Board to essentially declare bankruptcy in the face of … a holdback of state funds is premature,” Education Association President Joan Head said.

“We are the only school district in the state that I know of that has done anything this drastic.”

The school board voted unanimously Tuesday to declare the emergency and look for places to cut $420,000 from its budget. Idaho Gov. Phil Batt imposed a 2.5 percent cutback in education funding earlier this month.

Bonner County, like other districts in the state, already was counting on that money and included it in this year’s budget.

“If we get all the money we anticipated we would about break even at the end of the year, but with the cutback there is not enough money to pay the bills,” said district business manager Steve Battenschlag.

The teachers union doesn’t dispute that finances are tight, but said the district has not shown them any evidence of dire financial straits.

“We realize the state wants to take some money away, but I think it’s premature what the district is doing at this time,” Head said. “To call us a sinking ship is not a correct phrase, and we are very concerned.”

Union members worry the district may cut staff or change the salary schedule for teachers because of the cutbacks. The union also is in the process of trying to negotiate a pay increase and fear the financial emergency will be used against them.

“Other employees of the district, such as administrators and support personnel, have received raises and the teachers are attempting to negotiate theirs,” Head said. “What we are asking for is within the ability of the district to provide.”

According to Battenschlag, laying off teachers is not an option being discussed. Employees who leave or retire, however, may not be replaced.

For now the district is forming a committee to identify areas in the budget to cut. Those cuts could be made at the end of October.

“Nobody is going to shut down schools, turn the keys over to the state or lay off teachers,” Battenschlag said. “This has to do with paying our bills and getting by. We simply don’t have the money.”

Between now and January the district will slow its spending and have areas ready to cut in case the state money is not returned. The district also may be forced to borrow money but does not want to go into debt.

“We want to do everything we can to lessen the impact if the $420,000 is not returned,” Battenschlag said. “We are trying to be practical.”

The union argues that the state has withheld money before and it always was reinstated. The union wants the district to wait until the Legislature convenes in January before making any budget decisions.

“Two years back this same threat (from the state) was given and the money was there. I think we can bring this situation around if we work together,” Head said.

, DataTimes