SYRACUSE -- Syracuse's Board of Education is looking at a pair of strategies to take back some planned layoffs.
Right now, 470 district jobs are cut for next year, with 350 of them actual layoffs.
At its meeting Tuesday afternoon, the deadline for more senior staffers to opt for retirement was extended to May 31st. At Tuesday's board meeting, the board also confirmed contract extensions or pay raise waivers for all city school bargaining unit, and School Board President Richard Strong says that now that clears the financial picture. So, each older retirement now will allow younger, now laid-off staffers to be rehired.
The Board also commended the Syracuse Common Council for its Monday action, trying to add $2.4 million to the school district's funding. Strong says that translates to 50 more jobs and restoring planned cuts to programs. Common Councilor Nader Maroun, at the School Board meeting, says the extra funding would not come for a city tax increase, that it's the transfer of money from the city county sales tax agreement. Mayor Stephanie Miner has already said she'll veto the proposal, which passed by a slim 5-4 margin, and which she believes is a tax increase. Maroun is calling on parents and other concerned about the school budget to email her and Councilors. Emails to city officials can be sent by using their first initial and last name (nmaroun@ci.syracuse.ny.us or sminer@ci.syracuse.ny.us). The mayor has ten days to veto, and if she does, the council needs 6 votes--one more than Monday's to override.
