Fisher blasts budget balancing motives

‘Despicable’ means used to balance budget says finance chair, By David Hulse WESTFALL — School Board Finance Committee Chair Jack Fisher says he was “incensed” about academic program cuts in the new draft budget approved last week. Fisher said the cuts came as a result of new program recommendations from so-called Act 93 (administrator’s) bargaining unit, whose members were scheduled to lose 60 of their 260 calendar works days in a “plan B” proposal which last month was the board’s likely alternative action for balancing the new budget. The administrators recommended cuts that would close the budget gap and restore their work days. “These are programs for kids and suddenly and inexplicably, they don’t need them anymore,” Fisher said. Both the administrators and the teachers’ union last month declined board requests to reopen their respective contracts and forgo scheduled salary increases in the 2010-11 school year. Fisher said the 25 administrators earn an average of $100,000 annually, plus a $1,500 annual retention bonus. They are scheduled to receive a five percent salary increase in the coming year. Fisher said the academic program cuts were included and the administrators 60 days were reinserted in the budget at the finance committee’s March 31 meeting. The action came after receipt of a letter to the board from 11-12 High School Principal Joseph Casmus, on behalf of the Act 93 administrators. Fisher said Casmus’ letter threatened legal action that would “tie up the district for a year,” and require the costly hiring of attorneys to defend it. Fisher said a state representative of the teachers’ union also appeared at the Wednesday morning meeting. He interpreted that as a reinforcement of the threat of legal action. “What other reason would prompt this person to travel here for board committee meeting?” he asked. Following a Tuesday oral request, the Courier filed a formal records access request for copies of the letter and program recommendations on Wednesday. Those copies remained unavailable at press time. Fisher called the new plan “Plan D for despicable. Their own salaries were more important than programs... When their own finances were threatened they threw the children under the bus,” Fisher said. On Wednesday Casmus confirmed authorship of a letter, but would not comment on its contents. “It was a letter to the directors and that’s all I’ll say,” he said. Asked about Fisher’s characterization of the administrators proposed program cuts, Casmus said “That’s not true. I don’t see it that way.” He would not comment further. “I work for them and the newspapers are not a proper conduit for a forum between us,” he said. “This is very sad,” Fisher said. “After 16 years involvement with the district, I’ve always felt everyone had the kids best interests foremost.” As he criticized the administrators, he praised Superintendent Dr. Candis Finan, who “stepped up” and reduced her new contract salary amount by 10 percent, some $25,000 Fisher said. Finan also reduced her travel allotment by 75 percent, he said. “Everyone should be in that mode,” he said. Fisher said a combination of increased revenue projections in tax collections and the program cuts on the spending side filled a shortfall that stood at between $800,000 and $900,000 when the board last met. The revenues were a quarter-point increase in new tax collections, raising about $200,000 and an anticipated $300,000 increase in delinquent tax collections. Fisher did not oppose those moves. Whether it will win final approval or not remains in question. Board President Sue Casey commented in March that she was doubtful than any proposals then in play would win five votes. The board’s next scheduled meeting is on April 15, a work session at the Shohola Elementary School.

Their own salaries were more important than programs... When their own finances were threatened they threw the children under the bus,” Jack Fisher, DVSD board member