Finance staff say prorated layoffs, unemployment and substitute savings reach district’s $400,000 stabilization target

Marie (finance presenter) explained the arithmetic behind the district’s savings target: if the entire year of identified staffing reductions were realized, full-year savings would have been roughly $866,800; prorating the amounts for days worked produced an estimated payroll-and-benefit savings of approximately $571,600. She then accounted for possible unemployment claims and a modest substitute-cost reduction (about $20,000), leaving a net estimate in the mid-$400,000s that the presenter said met the district’s target.

Marie noted unemployment eligibility (26 weeks) and that some claim payment could fall in the current fiscal year, so the estimate conservatively accounted for that cost. The presenter and trustees discussed whether a supplemental budget revision would be necessary; staff said they were reviewing that question and would report back. “So we’ve hit our 400,000,” Marie said after summarizing the calculations.

Board members asked whether the $281,000 projection included cost-of-living adjustments; staff confirmed the projection included a 6% COLA and increased district insurance contributions. Trustees also asked how substitute-cost accruals occur when staff are not present; staff explained that some staff on the layoff list are not currently working and the district still accrues substitute costs until positions formally change.