Budget change may spur layoffs

• By WILL SENTELL
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Jun 30, 2009 - Page: 1A

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A late change to the state operating budget could trigger layoffs in the state Department of Education, top educators said Monday.

Up to 60 of the agency’s roughly 740 employees may face job threats, said Penny Dastugue, of Mandeville, a member of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

“It is going to hurt, it is really going to hurt,” said Dastugue, chairwoman of the board’s finance committee.

State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek said the late budget change represents an 11 percent cut in planned spending.

“We will have to consider all options to adjust our budget, including the possibility of layoffs,” Pastorek said in a prepared statement.

The superintendent did not elaborate. Pastorek was out of the office Monday and unavailable for questions, spokeswoman Rene Greer said.

The issues stem from an amendment by state Senate Education Committee Chairman Ben Nevers, D-Bogalusa.

Nevers sponsored a change to Louisiana’s $28 billion operating budget earlier this month that reshuffled $7.7 million of department funds.

Dastugue and others said that money was supposed to boost spending to improve math and reading skills for young students, a top priority of Pastorek and the 11-member board.

Nevers’ amendment redirected those funds, which will now fund salary supplements for teachers, counselors, psychologists and social workers who earn national certification.

Dastugue said that, as a result, the department faces prospects of layoffs or damage to the push for improved reading skills.

“I was told 50 to 60,” she said of layoffs. “That is the potential impact. I don’t think that decision has been made.”

Linda Johnson, of Plaquemine, another member of the board, said Nevers’ amendment “will cause some problems for the entire department.”