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Some Unpopular Stands Paying Off For Schools

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 30, 2008

Once Hillsborough School Superintendent MaryEllen Elia makes a decision, she tends to plow ahead, and isn't afraid to ruffle feelings. So she has taken her share of hits from parents, teachers and this editorial board during her 3½ years on the job. She never seems far from controversy.

But even her strongest critics should acknowledge that Elia has managed to put the district in far better shape than most to weather the current financial crisis, which could see Hillsborough schools lose $100 million in funding over the next two years.

Elia can point to steps that have saved the district roughly $64 million, and many of those moves were controversial.

Consider: A year ago a lot of Hillsborough high school teachers were furious Elia wanted to cut their planning time by requiring them to teach six out of seven periods. They were accustomed to having two periods for planning.

Some teachers attacked the plan, labeling it a pay cut. A few even threatened to just go through the motions and not work during the extra period.

The plan was initially poorly communicated, which probably strengthened resistance, but Elia persisted.

Now the move looks inspired. It is projected to save the district $38 million a year, since it reduces the number of teachers who must be hired.

It also better utilizes high school teachers' time. And the requirement they teach 300 minutes a day, as elementary school teachers must, is hardly inordinate.

The reorganization of the school transportation system was another controversial matter.

But placing bus stops farther apart and eliminating courtesy pickups is dramatically cutting costs. The district expects to save up to $10 million.

Elia and her staff have taken other steps to cut expenses. The district eliminated close to 50 positions, ranging from administrators to laborers to save more than $5 million.

Elia says the cuts are carefully selected. "We are going to be a district with fewer employees but more teachers."

One cost-cutting decision will affect the classroom, Elia readily admits. She has decided to stop allowing teachers to extend their time in the state's Deferred Retirement Option Program, or DROP.

Previously, with the administration's approval, teachers could continue to work long after the date they had agreed to retire. They continued to make their same salaries. This kept experienced and talented teachers in the classroom. It also kept the district paying top-of-the-grade salaries.

Now Elia says there will be no extensions. If teachers who signed up for DROP - where employees agree to work five years while the state pays benefits into an interest-bearing account - will have to retire when their time comes up. If they want to return to work, they will be hired at the beginning salary.

This will cost the district some outstanding teachers, but it also will save about $4.5 million. And given the state's current financial crisis, that seems justified.

Say what you will about Elia's forceful leadership, but she can say her willingness to take unpopular stands has gotten the results Hillsborough needs to endure these tough budget times.

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