Washington State District's Principals Agree To Pay Cuts To Save Teacher Jobs

The Spokane (WA) Spokesman-Review (6/17, Lawrence) reports, "Spokane Public Schools principals have agreed to a voluntary 3 percent pay cut, a move that will help the school district offset a $13.1 million budget shortfall. Additionally, the remaining 85 teachers who received layoff notices last month will be recalled, thanks in part to staff retirements and a new plan to maintain existing class sizes in middle school as well as at the elementary level." The piece gives details of the new budget proposal, and fleshes out the financial issues facing the schools in the district. Northwest Cable News (6/17) also covers this story, but notes that despite progress, "board members warned the district is a long way from narrowing the budget gap. ... Board members said they do have a revenue strategy plan in place to make up $7 million. Cuts to administrator salaries will help close the shortfall."