Rock Hill Schools Answer Furlough Questions

The school district has posted questions and answers related to furlough days on their web site. You can get a pdf copy by clicking here. They are also listed below:

Questions and Answers Concerning a Possible Furlough

The South Carolina Budget and Control Board recently announced a state

revenue reduction of 4% for fiscal year 2009-2010. This is a decrease of

approximately $1.9 million.

We began this school year with an unfunded budget of $2.4 million before this

reduction. The Board of Trustees will discuss and take action on how to deal

with this reduction at its September 28th board meeting. Since passing the budget

last year, we have said that furloughs would have to be a possibility if we

received another cut. Below are questions and answers concerning a possible

furlough.

What is a furlough?

The word “furlough,” as described in current S.C. legislation, refers to the ability

of school districts to decrease the total number of contracted days for employees.

Instructional staff may be furloughed up to five days in fiscal year 2009-2010.

For each teacher furlough day, administrators must be furloughed at least two

days. Salaries are then decreased according to the number of days furloughed.

How much will it affect my salary?

Below are selections of salaries and the amount of gross pay subtracted for the

selected salary amounts. The net pay deduction will be less and will vary

according to individual tax status. If the furlough is approved, the deduction

amount will be divided by the remaining number of payroll checks for the year.

Administrators (260-Day Contract Employees) 4-Day Furlough Cost

SALARY of $50,000 would result in a REDUCTION of $768

●To calculate the net amount of reduction, divide total reduction by the number of remaining checks for the year.

●The actual net amount per check will be less than the total amount of the reduction.

●Each employee’s tax status will determine their net amount.

Teachers and Support Staff (190-Day Contract Employees) 2-Day Furlough Cost

SALARY of $50,000 would result in a REDUCTION of $526

SALARY of $30,000 would result in a REDUCTION of $316

●To calculate the net amount of reduction, divide total reduction by the number of remaining checks for the year.

●The actual net amount per check will be less than the total amount of the reduction.

●Each employee’s tax status will determine their net amount.

What days are being considered for furlough?

Legislative Proviso allows a furlough day for instructional staff only on a noninstructional

day.

Teachers and all other support personnel will furlough October 23, 2009, and

March 19, 2010. Administrative staff will furlough October 23, 2009, and March

19, 2010, and two additional days determined by the administrator.

October 23 and March 19 are bad weather makeup days. What

happens if we have bad weather?

We will have two makeup days, February 15 and May 31. If we exceed that, we

will need to ask for a waiver by the legislature or make up the days at year end.

Who will be included in the furlough?

All employees will be included in the furlough with the exception of food service

employees and bus drivers. They are not included because they do not work on

teacher workdays.

How much will the furlough save the district?

The district will save approximately $850,000 in salaries and employer tax

payments. Additional energy savings will be incurred by the closing of our

buildings at an approximate cost of $20,000 for two days.

Will all schools and the District Office be closed on the furlough

days?

Yes, the schools and the District Office will be closed for the October 23, 2009,

and March 19, 2010, furlough days.