Board To Consider Contract Settlement, Layoffs at Tuesday Meeting

The teachers' contract and layoffs are the big items on the agenda when the Saline Area Schools Board of Education meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Liberty School.

The board is expected to formally approve the certified staffing reductions for 2011-12 as outlined by Superintendent Scot Graden. Last Friday, the board issued layoff notices to 62 staff members. Many staff members will be brought back. In April, when the district was looking at a $6 million budget shortfall, the district was considering a plan that involved the elimination of 20.5 teaching positions. Recent developments have seen that budget shortfall shrink.

One of those developments may be the contract with the Saline Education Association. The union, which has a year left on its contract, agreed to the district's request to reopen the contract and negotiate some cost savings. At one point, Graden said he hoped there might be $2 million in savings there. Monday, the union was scheduled to vote on a new tentative agreement with the district. The board is scheduled to vote on the deal Tuesday night.

Also on the agenda:

• The board will hear a report from John Waterman on the Woodland Meadows Walk to School Program.

• The board will hear about food services employee Nadine Rood, who will be honored as Michigan's Louise Sublette Award winner by the School Nutrition Association. The award is the highest honor a school nutrition professional can earn.  She was nominated for a "Sports Bar Serving Line" project.

• In the consent agenda, it is noted that paraeducator James Poik and custodian Steve Gagnon have resigned. As well, the board is expected to approve the culinary arts field trip to the National Restaurant Show, taking place in Chicago, and a golf tournament in Grand Rapids.