Dozens of Teaching Jobs May Be Saved in Beaumont Teachers, District Tentative Agreement

A majority of the notices earlier this month may be able to return to the classroom next year after all, thanks to a tentative agreement that has been reached between the teachers association and school district. 

The Beaumont Teachers Association and the Beaumont Unified School District have reached an agreement that would save 20 teachers' jobs through the furloughing of all teachers, according to BTA President Jody Behrens-Blaul.

Behrens-Blaul says-- if the agreement is ratified and approved by both parties in the next couple weeks-- that teachers would all take 14 furlough days throughout the next two school years, which equals out to a 3.8 percent pay cut.

In addition, eight teachers have already had their lay off notices rescinded, due to retirements in the district, according to Behrens-Blaul.  However, that still leaves 11 of the 39 teachers out of a job come June.

"Given the district's very large general fund reserve and the conservative budgeting strategies used by the business office over the past five years, we remain hopeful that district administrators will provide the school board with budget solutions that save all remaining positions," Behrens-Blaul said.  "If however, the board chooses to fund other projects, class sizes will increase significantly in grades one and two - perhaps others as well."

Behrens-Blaul adds that if teachers are not brought back in the fall, then class sizes will inevitably be impacted.

"A decade or so ago, Californians passed 'Class-size Reduction' legislation for grades K-3 with that understanding," she said.  "It makes absolutely no sense to go back on the promise we made to our kids. That said, I realize the problem is much larger than Beaumont, and I am grateful to work in a district with so many talented teachers and administrators who are dedicated beyond measure to the students of Beaumont."

The district could not immediately be reached for comment, as they were in negotiations Thursday with CSEA members, to try to save the jobs of earlier this year.

If the deal is inked-- it will also mean five less instructional days for students, according to Behrens-Blaul.