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Fairfields teachers will be facing much uncertainty in the next few months. Sure, they know that theyll get a pay bump next year, under their contract with the town. But because Fairfields education funding could be lower than Superintendent David Title wanted, they dont know how many colleagues will be joining them next year.
My chances of being able to recommend a budget cut that does not affect personnel is remote, Title said. There may be some relatively small areas that are non-personnel-related that we could get to.
The Board of Education approved Titles request for a 4.9 percent increase in the districts spending in the next school year. But First Selectman Kenneth Flatto suggested reducing this amount to 3.75 percent when he made his recommendation to the Board of Finance last month. If the rest of the town boards make those cuts, Title said the difference would most likely be fewer teachers.
Teacher salaries and benefits make up about 78 percent of the total school budget. Titles plan calls for the equivalent of 6.2 new full-time teachers to keep class sizes at current levels (22 to 25 students per classroom, depending on grade level).
Were a labor-intensive business, Title said last week. We spend the vast majority of our money on people. But maintenance and technology budgets have already cut back on what Title dubbed priority one items, and other areas of the budget are contractually obligated. As a result, Title may have no choice but to hold off on those new hires and put his plan for elementary school staffing on hold.
For its part, the Fairfield Education Association agreed to a contract that gave members zero-increase salaries for this school year and a planned increase of 2 percent next year, while teachers contribute more toward health care and retirement.
Currently, full-time teachers in Fairfield can make $48,528 (for a first-year teacher with a bachelors degree) to $108,303 (for a 25-year veteran with a doctorate). This spring, the union will again begin negotiations with the Board of Education for the next contract. But first, the district needs to see how many teachers there will be next year.
Its not a threat, its not a scare tactic. The world will not end. The doors will open. Well have teachers in classrooms, Title said. [But] Im not looking forward to [making cuts.]
You can read more about teacher pay
Read what other Fairfield County towns are doing about education spending. Click on the headline:
Westport Teachers Worried About Cutbacks
Wilton Teachers Begin Talks With School Board
Greenwich To Start Teacher Contract Talks Soon
Do you think Fairfields teachers should be paid more? Should the town work to keep classroom sizes down? Share your opinions in the comments below.
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