Mill Valley Schools Closed Today for First of Two Furloughs

Teachers and staff are taking one for the team on Monday, as all schools in the Mill Valley School District close down for the first of two furlough days this year.

The unpaid day off for all staff, which includes teachers, support staff and administrators, is expected to save a projected $200,000 as the district combats a $1.4 million budget deficit.

“In light of the financial crisis facing the district after millions of dollars in cutbacks by the state, this is part of the staff's contribution in the district's shared sacrifices/solutions approach,” Superintendent Paul Johnson said in a letter to the school community.  “I did want to stress that for our staff this is a significant personal sacrifice and their efforts are much appreciated.”

Teachers agreed to the salary reductions, as well as paying a higher percentage of medical coverage costs, in exchange for a one-time payment of between $248 and $497 to help cover rising premiums. That’s in addition to concessions teachers made last year to make annual contributions into a retiree medical benefit trust and to increase the number of years of service required to received retirement benefits from 10 to 20 years.

It’s also just one piece of the strategy to maintain the quality teachers and academic programs in the Mill Valley School District, Johnson said.

Kiddo! and the PTA’s have stepped up to help pay for supplies and PE this year, and the district is campaigning hard for voters to pass a new $196 parcel tax on top of the existing $731 parcel tax on the Nov. 6 ballot.

“I recognize that Monday's furlough day may pose a hardship for many families,” Johnson said, “and I thank you for your efforts to support the district.”

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