The school budget waters are murky, the personnel cuts are fluid, but there is
a flood of bad fortune for certain.

Budget cuts at the Oregon Trail School District have been mandated by the
governor’s office to the tune of $3 million for the 2009-2010 school year. And,
it could go as high as $6 million.

“Over the past month, news from the state has been increasingly dismal,”
said Shelley Redinger, OTSD superintendent. “Governor Kulongoski and State
Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo have recommended that school
districts develop a variety of budget scenarios, including the worst case.”
This news prompted the local school district to swing into action and develop a
two-phase program to meet the daunting challenge.

The effects of Phase I of this program have already been felt in Welches.

Principal Mike Sutton and Vice-Principal Debbie Borge are leaving.

Further, Phase II has targeted five positions at Welches that could fall by way
of a reduction in force. These slots include two sixth-grade teachers, an
elementary physical education teacher, an English language learning teacher
and an English language learning assistant.

However, Phase II reductions are not yet in effect, as district Human
Resources Director Ken Bucchi was quick to point out in an interview with The
Mountain Times.

“We don’t know how many licensed and classified staff are going to take
advantage of Phase I (retirement/resignation incentive program), and until we
do we won’t know how many reductions must be made,” Bucchi said.

Phase I was implemented in late March which is an offer to district employees
to take an incentive-laden resignation or retirement.

“The good news is that the program, along with cuts to administration, an
administrative salary freeze, and other material and supply cuts, was
successful at shaving just over $1.8 million from the 2009-2010 budget, while
helping us retain the greatest number of employees possible,” Redinger said.

Phase II was implemented in mid-April to address the remaining shortfall.

“We are hoping this will save an additional $1.2 million,” Redinger said. “But
this is where the process gets complex. In order to implement Phase II, we
worked with our school principals to identify positions which could be
eliminated for the duration of the budget crisis.”

This process means that a person currently in a position identified to be cut
may not necessarily be without a job.

“If an employee in a similar position (in the district) takes advantage of the
incentive program, it could create an opening for another employee to move
to,” Redinger said. “We will know more when the program closes after May 5.”
No matter how it shakes out, Bucchi indicated that Welches students will feel
the effects less than most other schools.

“Welches is the luckiest of all the schools,” Bucchi said. “There were fewer
kids per class than others (to begin with). So, though the percentage of the
cuts are spread equally through the district, there will be less actual increases
in class sizes.”

Welches averages 25-27 students per class at the present time, and would
increase “by two, or three tops,” Bucchi said.

Still, there will be fewer positions at Welches, though the actual number is still
in flux. And, class sizes will increase, though not by as much as some schools.
“It will be a heavier work load next year for everyone,” Bucchi said. “We can’t
sustain these cuts. We need another plan.”

Sandy High is facing cuts at five teaching positions (math, science, social
studies, physical education and language arts), plus a computer technician
and attendance secretary. A security guard slot was on the block but the City
of Sandy agreed to pay for that position, according to Bucchi.

Redinger tried to be reassuring, despite the economic difficulties.

“This is a difficult and emotional time, but we all must continue working
together to maintain the integrity of our school system,” she said.

“We are doing everything in our power to retain our quality staff and
education programs for our students.”