Nazareth School Board President Calls for Staff Wage Freezes

Lorin Bradley, president of the Nazareth Area School Board, says something has to give during the budget process for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. That something will likely be concessions from district employees or cuts to programs and staff to close a projected $731,000 deficit, he says.

The district's preliminary budget -- which calls for a -- was only lightly discussed during Monday's school board meeting.

Superintendent Victor Lesky reiterated remarks he made earlier this month. The administration is waiting for two looming deadlines to see where things stand, he said. The first is this Thursday (March 1) -- the deadline for teachers to submit retirement letters. The second is April 1 -- when Northampton County releases its property value reassessment.

Bradley had much to say about the budget in remarks to the media after the meeting, however. He made it clear that he is not satisfied with the budget as it stands, after the last month.

“It's not my intent to have a 2 percent tax increase this year,” Bradley said. “Those savings will have to come from elsewhere.”

Bradley said he would like to see two unions that represent district employees to help close a projected $731,000 deficit. Neighboring school districts, facing similar budget squeezes, have reached agreement on concessions with district employees, Bradley noted.

“We're hopeful we can come to a similar agreement,” he said.

The Nazareth Area Education Association represents the district's teachers, while the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents custodians and other support staff. The administration has met with Teamsters representatives, while the teachers union has responded via e-mail to a letter Lesky sent last month at the direction of the school board, Bradley said.

Neither union, however, has agreed to any concessions as of Monday, according to Bradley.

He said he hopes that will change once employees realize the only .

“I believe there are a number of teachers who recognize the gravity of the budget situation,” Bradley said.

“As we discuss this with the teachers' representatives, we are hopeful it is being shared with the teachers and they are making informed decisions,” he added. “If we do not find the money somewhere else, there is no doubt there will be cuts.”

The school board must approve the district's 2012-2013 budget no later than June 30, per state law. The board plans to approve the budget in May, however. The budget will be in effect from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013.

As things stand, the proposed property tax increase of 0.95 mills -- from 47.69 mills to 48.64 mills -- would mean an additional $74 in tax obligation for an average property owner in the district.