Commack Super Takes Pay Freeze; Says Teachers Should Too

Correction: Patch first incorrectly attributed a quote to Board of Education Trustee Joseph Pennacchio when reporting this story. Trustee Peter Wunsch made the statement regarding unemployment claims.

Commack school administrators have announced they will take a pay freeze to help bridge a $4.7 million budget gap for the 2012-13 school year, and are looking at others to do the same. 

Superintendent Donald James announced he would be willing to take a pay freeze for the 2012-13 school year at the district's budget workshop on Tuesday night. Following his lead, all central office administrators have also agreed to a salary freeze to help bridge the shortfall the district is facing. 

"Our mission as a community is to educate our children," James said. "We are facing a $4.7 million funding gap for the 2012-2013 school year. As the leader of this district, I fully understand that many among us are dealing with great financial strain. We must work together to do what is best for our children and our community."

Under the district's proposed $170 million 2012-13 budget, school officials are considering laying off 40 to 60 teachers, one administrator, two secretaries, six custodians with an additional $700,000 in cuts or savings. Further program cuts could include the elimination of assistant coaches for 16 sports teams, elimination of the varsity swim team, and elimination of a list of co-curricular clubs and honor societies. 

However, James told residents at the March 8 budget workshop that a district-wide, one-year pay freeze could save close to $4 million and would prevent the district from having to layoff staff.

"We have proposed to all units to come to the table, sit down and come up with some way of saving money," said Mary Jo Masciello, Commack Board of Education president. "We await everyone becoming part of the solution. We need an entire team effort." 

One after another, parents at Thursday night's budget workshop stepped forward to ask the teachers' union to take a pay freeze to prevent the layoffs and preserve class sizes. 

"All units need to come together and agree because in the end our children are going to suffer," said resident Seth Weiss. "I would gladly pay the higher level of taxes to have the best schools." 

Other parents questioned the distribution of the district's proposed cuts, wondering if district was laying off teachers as opposed to cutting other programs and services first. 

"The budget presentation on special education seemed like we are slicing and dicing. We have room to save money by increasing integrated classes from 6 to 8 special needs students to 12 next year. At the same time, we are increasing class sides from 28 to possibly 30," said parent Rebecca Benezra. "In the athletic programs, reductions are nil compared to general education."

In special education, the recommended 2012-13 budget calls for laying off three full-time teachers, six teaching assistants, two psychologists and/or social workers and a speech teacher.

Those Commack teachers and staff member who face potentially being laid off are already aware who they are. The superintendent confirmed the Commack School District has already taken the step of issuing pink slips to those employees. 

"We wanted to give people adequate notice regarding the possibility so they can try to make the necessary plans," James said, who said he has spoken with each individually. "Short of attending a funeral for one of our young people, it’s the hardest thing I’ve had to do." 

Teachers in attendance at Thursday night were shocked however, when a board member implied if teachers are laid off, they may not receive unemployment from the district. 

"We have ways of making nearly all of those district employees who received pink slips ineligible for unemployment," said trustee Peter Wunsch. 

Wunsch implied if layoffs are necessary, Commack schools may offer many the chance to stay involved at the district by coaching a sport, overseeing a co-curricular club or similar fashion. 

Commack's next budget workshop will take place on March 29 at 8 p.m. at , with a Special Community Input meeting scheduled 7 p.m. March 26 at .