All Hamden Public Schools employees have been asked to take two furlough days to deal with a budget deficit and avoid layoffs, according to the superintendent's office. Four unions have approved it so far, one rejected it and more unions will soon be voting.
The Hamden Board of Education and Hamden Public Schools Superintendent Jody Goeler asked that all full-time union and non-union employees take the two days.
A statement from the school district says Hamden faces a budget deficit because of “unanticipated and significantly increased special education costs” and the furlough days will cut $600,000 in costs.
All full-time non-union employees will take the two furlough days and school officials said the administrators, custodial and nursing unions voted to support the furlough days, while the paraprofessional/clerk union rejected the furlough day request.
The teachers have also voted to accept the two-day furlough. Diane Marinaro. the president of the Hamden Education Association, released a statement, saying they had the choice of the furlough or losing 20 to 30 teachers.
“The loss of that great a number of teachers would cause disruption and chaos to teaching and learning across our school district putting our students in jeopardy,” Marino said.
She added that this is a temporary solution.
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”We need long-term planning so that we are never faced with these choices again. The Legislative Council and Board of Education must work collaboratively with the Superintendent of Schools and union members to provide viable solutions to move the district forward. We need a vision and creative alternatives in order to ensure the high quality public education that students and parents deserve and expect,” Marinaro said.
Supervisors and security unions have not yet voted.
Without the furlough days, the district will have to lay off employees mid-year to make up for the budget deficit, according to a statement from Hamden schools.
