Stillwater schools may see job cuts

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -- Declining enrollment and "unfunded and underfunded state mandates" are behind a plan to trim the teaching staff of Stillwater schools by 25 positions in the next school year.

More school employees could also lose their jobs as Stillwater schools deal with an enrollment projected to drop next fall to 5,166 -- a decline of 375 students, or 6.8 percent, since the 1996-97 school year.

"We've yet to determine the comparable cuts we'll make in support staff, teacher assistants, custodial, secretarial and clerical positions," Stillwater Superintendent Lyle Young said Tuesday.

Dianne Puckett, president of Stillwater Education Association, said her organization wants to assure that the cuts are "fair and equitable."

"We would expect them to have cuts in administration also,"

said Puckett, a third-grade teacher at Highland Park Elementary School.

Young and Puckett said they hope attrition will take care of many of the cuts. But it's unlikely all the cuts could be made by not filling jobs left open by resignations and retirements, Young said.

"I imagine there are people who are concerned about their employment and rightfully so," Young said.

Stillwater isn't the only school district facing budget trouble because of unfunded mandates, said June Ehinger, assistant executive director of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association.

"We have a list of close to 100 mandates that have not been funded," Ehinger said. "Unfunded mandates are impacting every school district in the state."

Stillwater, population 38,500, has had the lowest unemployment in the state for 18 months, said Jim Mason, chief executive of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce.

"And we're seeing more people move in to take those jobs,"

Mason said. "I would think that would result in more school-age children being in Stillwater."

But the recent transplants may be young couples who don't have children yet or older people close to retirement, he said. That's not to mention the students attracted to Oklahoma State University.

Young also said that the state is experiencing a declining birth rate and that people don't have as many school-age youngsters as they once did.

While reduced enrollment brings lower state aid, Young cited "underfunded and unfunded mandates" as another reason for budget problems.

Mandated increases in teacher retirement payments not covered by the state cost Stillwater schools $238,000 this year, he said. In addition, a flexible benefit allowance mandated by the state totaled $45,000.

Also, a required step increase for teachers -- not part of the $3,000 raise the state gave teachers last year -- cost $125,000, he said.

"When you have a budget shortfall, $125,000 is a big amount,"

Young said.

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -- Declining enrollment and "unfunded and underfunded state mandates" are behind a plan to trim the teaching staff of Stillwater schools by 25 positions in the next school year.

More school employees could also lose their jobs as Stillwater schools deal with an enrollment projected to drop next fall to 5,166 -- a decline of 375 students, or 6.8 percent, since the 1996-97 school year.

"We've yet to determine the comparable cuts we'll make in support staff, teacher assistants, custodial, secretarial and clerical positions," Stillwater Superintendent Lyle Young said Tuesday.

Dianne Puckett, president of Stillwater Education Association, said her organization wants to assure that the cuts are "fair and equitable."

"We would expect them to have cuts in administration also,"

said Puckett, a third-grade teacher at Highland Park Elementary School.

Young and Puckett said they hope attrition will take care of many of the cuts. But it's unlikely all the cuts could be made by not filling jobs left open by resignations and retirements, Young said.

"I imagine there are people who are concerned about their employment and rightfully so," Young said.

Stillwater isn't the only school district facing budget trouble because of unfunded mandates, said June Ehinger, assistant executive director of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association.

"We have a list of close to 100 mandates that have not been funded," Ehinger said. "Unfunded mandates are impacting every school district in the state."

Stillwater, population 38,500, has had the lowest unemployment in the state for 18 months, said Jim Mason, chief executive of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce.

"And we're seeing more people move in to take those jobs,"

Mason said. "I would think that would result in more school-age children being in Stillwater."

But the recent transplants may be young couples who don't have children yet or older people close to retirement, he said. That's not to mention the students attracted to Oklahoma State University.

Young also said that the state is experiencing a declining birth rate and that people don't have as many school-age youngsters as they once did.

While reduced enrollment brings lower state aid, Young cited "underfunded and unfunded mandates" as another reason for budget problems.

Mandated increases in teacher retirement payments not covered by the state cost Stillwater schools $238,000 this year, he said. In addition, a flexible benefit allowance mandated by the state totaled $45,000.

Also, a required step increase for teachers -- not part of the $3,000 raise the state gave teachers last year -- cost $125,000, he said.

"When you have a budget shortfall, $125,000 is a big amount,"

Young said.