"If this fails the teachers already have a three year contract. They would have to agree to open it to first to discuss wage concessions. Won't happen."
I said in a different post, and I'll say it again.
You would be SHOCKED to see how many arms would be slung into the air to get into that concession line if many thought the alternative would be the unemployment line! A decent and fair salary is far better than NO salary! If these employees actually faced mortgage payments, car payments etc...while trying to survive on an unemployment check, they will be very willing to discuss this issue. The people will NEVER agree to a tax increase while these employees keep these kinds of salaries.
Double the class sizes in order to lay off several teachers and that could free up more than half of that 3 million dollars of debt alone. Then start trimming the salaries of every other employee from custodians and cafeteria workers, department heads and their secretaries and don't stop till the top of the ladder is reached, then yes, cut the Superintendents salary too.
I personally know many well educated people who would be thrilled to step into a secretarial position to work within the district AND they would not expect to get paid more than $20.00 an hour to do that job! See how easy it really can be to CUT THE FAT? Just that easy I can save the district over $30,000 starting with one secretary's salary.
I would LOVE to know who in their right mind would approve a secretary's hourly wage to be MORE than $35.00 PER HOUR. It makes me wonder if this secretary works all year round for this kind of money, or if she gets the summer off and still pulls in over $70,000 a year?
People, do you really have to ask why our school district if broke?