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Friday, December 19, 2008

Fairfax County School Board Suspends Redlining Policy

The Fairfax County School Board has voted to suspend its redlining policy that, in normal budget years, provides a financial ease of transition for employees who are moved involuntarily to a shorter contract length or a position that pays a lower salary. Suspension of the policy--which will affect all employees—instructional and support—will run from January 1, 2009, through June 30, 2011.

“By suspending this policy, we expect to save at least $3 million,” says Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Jack D. Dale. “While some employees’ pay will be reduced, the savings will enable us to cut fewer positions. Most employees from whom we have heard agree that this is a workable alternative and is preferable to cutting positions.”

Redlining enables employees who are involuntarily moved to lower grade positions or who have their contract length reduced to continue earning their higher salary for two years.

“During normal budget years, we use redlining to protect employees from immediate pay cuts,” says Dale. “However, with the extraordinary budget challenges we are facing this year, this policy does not make good fiscal sense.”

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