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Though the 10 school districts in western Nevada County spend between $81,600 and $1.4 million in salaries for administrators, the brunt of the proposed budget cuts is falling on teachers, counselors and other non-administrative workers, at least for now, The Union has found.
Some parents, teachers and residents are raising concerns about equity when it comes to cutbacks in light of the state's steep budget shortfall. They point to the administrators' six-figure salaries, juxtaposed with the expected layoffs of some teachers, as well as the loss of a crisis counselor's position at Nevada Union High School.
Administrators defend the decisions. "We've cut back three administrative positions in the past few years, so the administrative team is already very lean," said Jon Byerrum, superintendent of the Grass Valley School District.
Others remain skeptical. "I have to agree that the real reason why the students are there is to be taught by teachers," said Diane DiLeo, a mother of an NU student. "It's most important that the money be spent on classrooms, on teachers and their materials, so that class sizes are reasonable and students can benefit from it."
DiLeo added: "It seems to me we could do without administrators, but money needs to be spent in the classrooms."
Teachers union officials are monitoring the process. "We want the cuts to be farthest away from the classroom," said Craig Strohm, president of the Teachers Association of the Nevada Joint Union High School district. "That's why we are keeping a close eye on what the administrators are doing in reducing their own staff."
No administrators are being laid off, but several are being asked to share teaching duties as a cost-cutting measure.
At Pleasant Ridge Union School District, the county's largest elementary district, "the board has taken action to reduce a full-time principal to a principal-teacher for the next school year," said Superintendent Linda Rooney. In his new position, the principal-teacher will be partly paid by federal money, helping the school district save money from its general funds, Rooney said.
Pleasant Ridge is trying to cut $430,000 from next year's budget and plans to lay off nine non-administrative workers.
The local high school district also has asked two vice principals to take up teaching duties, a practice that will reduce their pay, said Karen Suenram, assistant superintendent in charge of business for the Nevada Joint Union High School District. The high schools plan to lay off six employees for the next school year.
Grass Valley School District, the county's second-largest elementary district, isn't planning layoffs but has reduced the hours for three non-administrative workers. The district aims to cut $500,000 from next year's budget.
"Several years ago, I read a report from the U.S. Department of Labor ... (that) listed education as having the least number of administrators per 100 employees of any of the major economic sectors," Byerrum said. "I then read an accompanying report that said California was among the lowest in the nation as to the number of administrators per 100 employees in K-12 education."
Among county administrators, Nevada Joint Union High School Superintendent Ralf Swenson earns $130,000 annually, and Byerrum earns $122,333 per year, excluding benefits, according to the school district.
Nevada Union High School Principal Marty Mathiesen makes $116,403 and Bear River High School Principal Jim Nieto earns $111,720, according to the district.
The six assistant principals at the high schools earn between $98,353 and $104,514 annually. All of the jobs include generous health and pension benefits.
The Grass Valley School District, for example, contributes an extra $5,613 per year for each administrator for medical, dental and vision insurance, according to Byerrum. Some administrators also receive an auto allowance; such as the $4,800 per year that Rooney said she receives.
Nevada County schools Superintendent Holly Hermansen earns $120,000 annually, plus $10,500 in health benefits. She also gets a $6,000 per year auto allowance.
No cap on administrative costs for the school district exists. The administrative salaries as a percentage of the district's budget are nearly 4 percent for the high school district and the Grass Valley School District. For some of the smaller districts, the figure is almost 8 percent.
Schools districts across the county are scrambling to reduce their expenses to prepare for budget cuts proposed by the governor. The state budget for education next year could be cut by $4 billion if the governor's cost-reducing proposals are implemented.
To contact Soumitro Sen, e-mail ssen@theunion.com or call 477-4229.
Some parents, teachers and residents are raising concerns about equity when it comes to cutbacks in light of the state's steep budget shortfall. They point to the administrators' six-figure salaries, juxtaposed with the expected layoffs of some teachers, as well as the loss of a crisis counselor's position at Nevada Union High School.
Administrators defend the decisions. "We've cut back three administrative positions in the past few years, so the administrative team is already very lean," said Jon Byerrum, superintendent of the Grass Valley School District.
Others remain skeptical. "I have to agree that the real reason why the students are there is to be taught by teachers," said Diane DiLeo, a mother of an NU student. "It's most important that the money be spent on classrooms, on teachers and their materials, so that class sizes are reasonable and students can benefit from it."
DiLeo added: "It seems to me we could do without administrators, but money needs to be spent in the classrooms."
Teachers union officials are monitoring the process. "We want the cuts to be farthest away from the classroom," said Craig Strohm, president of the Teachers Association of the Nevada Joint Union High School district. "That's why we are keeping a close eye on what the administrators are doing in reducing their own staff."
No administrators are being laid off, but several are being asked to share teaching duties as a cost-cutting measure.
At Pleasant Ridge Union School District, the county's largest elementary district, "the board has taken action to reduce a full-time principal to a principal-teacher for the next school year," said Superintendent Linda Rooney. In his new position, the principal-teacher will be partly paid by federal money, helping the school district save money from its general funds, Rooney said.
Pleasant Ridge is trying to cut $430,000 from next year's budget and plans to lay off nine non-administrative workers.
The local high school district also has asked two vice principals to take up teaching duties, a practice that will reduce their pay, said Karen Suenram, assistant superintendent in charge of business for the Nevada Joint Union High School District. The high schools plan to lay off six employees for the next school year.
Grass Valley School District, the county's second-largest elementary district, isn't planning layoffs but has reduced the hours for three non-administrative workers. The district aims to cut $500,000 from next year's budget.
"Several years ago, I read a report from the U.S. Department of Labor ... (that) listed education as having the least number of administrators per 100 employees of any of the major economic sectors," Byerrum said. "I then read an accompanying report that said California was among the lowest in the nation as to the number of administrators per 100 employees in K-12 education."
Among county administrators, Nevada Joint Union High School Superintendent Ralf Swenson earns $130,000 annually, and Byerrum earns $122,333 per year, excluding benefits, according to the school district.
Nevada Union High School Principal Marty Mathiesen makes $116,403 and Bear River High School Principal Jim Nieto earns $111,720, according to the district.
The six assistant principals at the high schools earn between $98,353 and $104,514 annually. All of the jobs include generous health and pension benefits.
The Grass Valley School District, for example, contributes an extra $5,613 per year for each administrator for medical, dental and vision insurance, according to Byerrum. Some administrators also receive an auto allowance; such as the $4,800 per year that Rooney said she receives.
Nevada County schools Superintendent Holly Hermansen earns $120,000 annually, plus $10,500 in health benefits. She also gets a $6,000 per year auto allowance.
No cap on administrative costs for the school district exists. The administrative salaries as a percentage of the district's budget are nearly 4 percent for the high school district and the Grass Valley School District. For some of the smaller districts, the figure is almost 8 percent.
Schools districts across the county are scrambling to reduce their expenses to prepare for budget cuts proposed by the governor. The state budget for education next year could be cut by $4 billion if the governor's cost-reducing proposals are implemented.
To contact Soumitro Sen, e-mail ssen@theunion.com or call 477-4229.
