Spokane teacher layoffs loom: Pugh reports Colfax 'healthy financially'

Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter | Apr 25, 20190

With the news of projected layoffs coming from the Spokane School District, is there a chance that could happen in Colfax?

The Spokane district approved teacher pay raises in the 13 percent range last August, soon after Colfax teachers signed a new contract in the 10 percent range, with classified staff receiving a five percent raise across the board.

“Kudos to our teachers' union here, we came up with a less pay raise, it wasn't at the level you see in Spokane,” said Jerry Pugh, Colfax superintendent. “Both sides worked hard... Here's what the district can afford to do and what we can sustain. And lo and behold, we were right... Both came to a responsible decision.”

The Spokane School District announced two weeks ago projected layoffs of 325 employees, or one in 12, including an estimated 175 teachers.

“We are healthy financially within Colfax,” said Pugh, noting that several factors go into the threat of layoffs in Spokane. Levy dollars lost in the new statewide system vary in each district, and increased dollars from the state are more categorical than general – meaning money is designated for certain areas, as opposed to the district deciding what specifically to spend it on.

Next year Colfax will be in year two of the new $1.50 per thousand dollars of property valuation levy limit statewide.

“Next year is going to be a tight budget year,” said Pugh.

Are layoffs possible?

“I don't know,” he said. “Lots of things go into decisions like that – from what will come out of legislative sessions to declining enrollment.”

Another factor Pugh mentioned is the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) – an adjustment in medical benefits in its first year in Washington, which raises district costs.