A message to parents and guardians from Eugene School District 4J
4J Schedules Furlough Days This Week & Next
Cost-saving measure will save funds to offset cuts next school year
Dear families,
Eugene School District 4J and all Oregon school districts are bracing for significant budget impacts in the next few years as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The district is taking steps and considering all options to address the coming shortfalls.
Our goals are to, to the extent possible:
• Maintain class sizes
• Minimize layoffs
• Preserve a full school year next year
Earlier this spring, as the budget implications of the pandemic began to emerge, the district quickly instituted hiring and expenditure freezes to conserve funds. Now the difficult decision has been made to reduce school days in this already disrupted school year as an important cost-saving option to offset further cuts next year.
The district will implement two furlough days in June.
Friday, June 5 will be a no-teacher day for middle and high school students.
Wednesday, June 10 will be the final school day, instead of June 11
This will save about $1 million to help protect school days and staff positions next school year. On furlough days employees do not work and are not paid by the district.
4J joins many other school districts locally and across Oregon in implementing this cost-saving measure. In an effort to hold staff financially harmless through the furlough, the district has applied for the Work Share Oregon program, which combines state unemployment and federal funding, to offset employees’ lost wages.
The district is committed to supporting the needs of families and will continue to provide free meals throughout the furlough period. Staff will work modified schedules to ensure this important service continues.