Jenks School Board Approves Furlough Days For All Employees

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

JENKS, OK -- The Jenks School Board became the first school board in eastern Oklahoma to approve a furlough day for all employees, including teachers.

The furlough day was approved Monday and is strictly voluntary.

Jenks says it has been able to endure this financial storm so far, but like many other districts, is already sounding the alarm about next year.

Nancy McKay had the grim task of discussing the future of finances for Jenks' schools. She says the district is in alright shape this fiscal year, but next year is a different story.

"Our state aid continues to go down, even though we're growing with more students, needing more textbooks and needing more staff," said Nancy McKay, Jenks Public School CFO.

Unless the economic outlook brightens, McKay says Jenks will have a $4 million shortfall in 2011. That, she says, will more than likely mean layoffs.

"It's very devastating to us. We're a very close-knit group here. We'll do everything in our power to keep that from happening," said Nancy McKay.

Anticipating the economic downturn, Jenks already cut $1 million out of its budget last year.

"I don't want to say we saw this coming because I don't think anyone saw it being this bad this quickly. We did know the slowdown would affect our revenue stream," said Jon Phillips, Jenks Board of Education President.

So this year, employees will only be asked to take one voluntary furlough day. It would save the district an estimated $250,000 and could be the first of many sacrifices.

"There's a sense of pride in our community about this school. Our teachers and employees share that. I think they'll step up," said Jon Phillips.

Jenks School administrators want the state to tap into the rainy day fund to help reduce this potential shortfall. They plan to lobby the legislature "heavily" about that this year.