Niles schools chief to resubmit resolution

June 10, 2012 at 12:04a.m.

NILES

School Superintendent Mark Robinson plans to resubmit his resolution to eliminate 15 teaching positions to the board of education at a special meeting Tuesday. The same resolution failed last month.

“Several board members indicated to me that they would like it resubmitted,” Robinson said. He declined to identify the board members who made the request.

The previous motion failed May 23 when the board deadlocked with a 2-2 vote and one abstention. However, the board did approve the layoffs of 19 nonteaching employees by a 3-2 vote. Board member Richard Limongi, who voted to abstain on the teacher issue, voted in favor of the classified-worker layoffs.

Robinson said he has not polled the board and does not know whether this outcome will be different. “It’s their vote and their decision,” the superintendent said.

After the first vote, Robinson warned that the failure to furlough the teachers will result in a $1.3 million deficit and inevitably place the district under fiscal emergency and state control. Niles has been under fiscal watch since 2003.

The superintendent has said that the only other financial option without the teacher layoffs is to submit a levy on the November ballot. The board would have to approve a millage issue by August.

Robinson said that under state law, employee layoffs necessitated by financial issues can be submitted at any time.

The board meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday at Niles Middle School.