By Jonathan Friedman
Staff Writer

February 8, 2010 -- School could be out a week early this year and next year in an effort to save an estimated $2 million annually for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.

The option was made possible after the District’s labor unions last week reached a tentative deal with SMMUSD management for five furlough days.

For several months, District officials have been meeting with leaders from the Santa Monica Classroom Teachers Association (SMMCTA) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to come up with a cost-cutting plan. The District is operating on a deficit this year and faces a $14 million shortfall next year.

In addition to the five furlough days for school administrators and most district managers, the deal includes a retirement incentive program. Health benefits, however, are not affected.

Senior level management, including Superintendent Tim Cuneo, will take a cut worth six days of pay, but they will still have to work on those days. Additionally, Cuneo will take a 10 percent reduction in his expense and housing allowance, as well as forgo the 10 percent performance bonus called for in his $220,000-a-year contract.

The labor union leaders are now talking with their members to ratify the agreement. If approved by the membership, the agreement is expected to go before the School Board on March 4.

“We’re very happy healthcare was not touched,” SMMCTA Board member Liz Cowgill told the School Board at Thursday’s meeting in Malibu. “We’re satisfied with the furlough days. We’re also satisfied with the early retirement incentive program, hoping that it will save teacher jobs.”

Mike Matthews, the SMMUSD’s assistant superintendent of human resources, said in a press release issued by the District that “these sacrifices will have a positive impact on helping balance the budget, and will help to save jobs so that we can better serve our students.”

Cuneo noted in the press release that the District will still have cut more from its budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year, which begins on July 1.

He encouraged voters to support the upcoming $198 parcel tax election. ("School Board Puts $198 Parcel Tax on Ballot," February 2, 2010)