Wake County Schools Superintendent Tony Tata is talking about why he felt the need to cut clerical, custodial and Central Office positions in this year's budget.
Tata was interviewed by Chris Fitzsimon, executive director of the liberal N.C. Policy Watch, for Sunday's broadcast of "News and Views." According to N.C. Policy Watch's Progressive Pulse blog, Tata talked about the hard budget issues faced this year and what's coming next year when state and federal funding gets reduced again.
In a preview clip, Tata says he realized how hard it would be on schools to each lose a clerical position.
"But given the choice between a teacher and a clerical position, I made the choice for a clerical position," Tata said. "That hat was my decision, make no mistake about it. The same thing with the custodial positions."
Tata said he also pushed for elimination of some 56 Central Office positions despite objections from staff.
"I said if I'm going to cut clerks and custodians, I'm going to be cutting staffers out of Central Office as well," Tata said. "The initial reaction was wait we've already done this for two years in Central. I said we're going to do it again because i can not in good conscience cut schools without cutting Central Office."
The interview will be aired at 7:30 a.m. Sunday on 101.5 WRAL-FM. You can also catch it after the show airs on N.C. Policy Watch's web site.
Comments
Grade 18 are some of the lowest paid.
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 20:32 — youthinksoGrade 18 positions were cut across the county. One at each school, but do not chisel that in stone.
The beginning salary for a 10 month clerical worker is $11.03 an hour. The yearly (10 months) salary totals $19,125.60. The individual must work in temporary jobs two months during summer vacation to receive compensation or spread the $19, 123.60 over twelve months. Grade 18 employees must work 31 years to make $15.33 an hour/$ 26, 571.30 annually which is 10 months not twelve.
Low pay, point blank and period. Grade 16 is the lowest compensated group. Grade 30 is the highest. Check the Salaries: Staff, Non-certified on the Wake County Schools website and do the math.
Smaller counties were gutted!
although I don't want anyone to lose their jobs
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 13:00 — Athey01I applaud Supt. Tata mindset of making cuts throughout the system. Too many times the lowest pay employees bear the brunt of cuts.
??
Fri, 08/12/2011 - 16:51 — Dove314Aren't clerical and custodial staff among some of the lowest paid employees in WCPSS?
Seems Tata is adding central office "fat"...
Sat, 08/13/2011 - 10:39 — paulastam...while General Tata has been forced to make cuts he focused on WCPSS' lowest paid folks (teacher assistants, clerical, custodian and some central office secretaries). While doing so he gave random $500 one off payments to all teachers - perhaps to win over teacher support since they had NO say/input in his unorthodox hiring (as superintendent) by the GOP. Since teachers have had their salaries frozen by the legislature such payments probably help but in a time of lean cuts that was questionable decision making.
In contrast, Tata has been ADDING highly paid positions at the TOP in central office - folks that make most of us envious with their six figure salaries AND their new secretaries/assistants that local tax payers must pay for. Interesting that in lean times the General and GOP led school board is forcing cuts/reductions on the poorly paid yet enriching those at the top (creating new highly paid positions). Seems like the same trend the Tea Party/GOP is pushing in DC - eliminate spending on programs for the poor and middle classes but preserve tax loopholes and credits for billionaires and oil companies!
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
Since you feel this way
Mon, 08/15/2011 - 07:55 — FSandYOUare you willing to step to the front on the line to have your kid's teachers cut first next year? I think that's a great idea and that would show that you ACTUALLY care and want to help our schools. Matter of fact, all of those like you need to step up and volunteer their kid's teachers to be the first to go next year.
Then you and they would actually be doing something besides spreading more of your hate.
FS, "Speaking out against haters and stupidity."
Give Me Break
Sat, 08/13/2011 - 16:00 — VillageMentalityHow many highly paid positions has he hired? He has the right to hire who he sees fit to assist him in his responsibilities. Del Burns, Bill McNeil and ALL those Supers before Tata did the exact same thing. Hired a BUNCH of Folks!~
Please don't get on here with inflammatory conjecture that Tata is somehow doing something wrong. You are not acting Independent or Fair here by your post.