The Turlock Unified School District (TUSD) Board of Trustees began the new school year on a positive note, rescinding layoff notices for employees in the preschool program.
The TUSD Board unanimously passed this resolution, 6-0. Trustee John Sims abstained from voting as he did not participate in the closed sessions regarding this issue.
District administration and staff had been reviewing the budget to develop a plan to address the shortfall in funding regarding the preschool program.
In July, administrators and staff met with employees in the program.
After discussing the situation, there were seven employees that were interested in the voluntary reduction. Instead of a layoff, those seven employees took a reduction in hours from 3.75 to 3 hours per day.
The Board additionally passed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the District and Turlock Teachers Association (TTA) with a unanimous vote.
The MOU included the 2011-12 salary schedule. There was no fiscal impact as the 2011-12 salary schedule remains the same as the salary schedule in effect for 2010-11.
The MOU included an agreement to close negotiations for 2011-12, and an agreement to begin negotiations for 2012-13.
Both the TUSD and the TTA have agreed to sunshine proposals on or before January 3, 2012, and to begin negotiations on January 19, 2012.
“I appreciate very much Miss Shipman and the Turlock Teachers Association to agreeing to sitting down early next year because we know next year will be difficult,” said Board President Frank Lima.
