By Ashleigh Costello
EAGnews.org

NEW ORLEANS – Jefferson Parish Public Schools illegally cut pay by forcing school employees to take a furlough day during the last school year, a state appeals court ruled last week.

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled in favor of the Jefferson Federation of Teachers Wednesday, citing state law that forbids school boards from cutting an employee’s salary below the previous year’s level, reports the Times-Picayne. The ruling is a reversal of an October 2011 decision by 24th Judicial District Judge Stephen Windhorst in favor of the school system.

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The school board imposed the one-time furlough day in 2011 as part of an attempt to rein in a $26 million deficit. The furlough day was expected to save the district $1.5 million.

Jefferson Federation of Teachers President Meladie Munch touted the recent ruling as a victory for Jefferson Parish teachers.

“Teachers are the cornerstone of public education in Jefferson Parish,” said Munch.  “The court’s decision treats them with the dignity and respect they so deserve.”

School board member Mike Delesdernier said the board was left with a difficult decision.

“We really didn’t have any options in the budget, the union did not support one budget cutting measure that was up there,” said Delesdernier. “We wanted the cuts to have the least effect on the kids, and we thought it’d be best if every teacher lost a day instead of laying off 15 to 20 teachers.”

Understandably, school officials feel like their hands are tied. It seems counterintuitive for state law to prohibit school board members from cutting teacher salaries when necessary. The current economic downturn has forced many school districts across the country to make painful budget cuts.

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Public schools can no longer afford to pay out bloated salaries and yearly step raises. Refusal from local teachers unions to comply with cost cutting efforts has only served to aggravate the precarious situation. Stupid state laws that take budget control away from schools boards don’t help, either.

Delesdernier fears the union’s unwillingness to compromise foreshadows an even larger problem for the district. The union’s collective bargaining agreement ended in June and the two sides are scheduled for a new round of contract negotiations. There is no doubt the teachers union will continue to put its members’ interests ahead of those of students.

“In a bizarre way, this little foray with the furlough day is a microcosm of the district’s relationship with the JFT,” said Delesdernier. “They’re protecting longevity and not putting effective teachers first.”