By Kristyne E. Demske
C & G Staff Writer

STERLING HEIGHTS — As part of a continuing effort to make ends meet in the state’s second-largest school district, administrators have agreed to new contract concessions that will save Utica Community Schools $878,000.

The 101 building and central office administrators in the district, who make up about 5 percent of UCS staff, agreed to take up to six unpaid furlough days during the 2010-2011 school year, a step and salary freeze at 2009-2010 levels and to pay 20 percent of their health care premium.

District officials recently learned that they would be hit even harder from the state during the next school year, with a requirement that UCS pay a 19.41 percent retirement rate for each of its employees, up from about 17 percent. Stephanie Eagen, assistant superintendent for business and finance, said the district is required to pay that charge for every employee in the district, to help participate in the employees’ defined benefit plans.

“We have to refine our budget and increase our expenditures by about $2 million since we last talked,” she said March 11.

That brings the projected deficit in the district to $33 million during the 2010-2011 school year. By law, school districts are not allowed to run deficits and must present a balanced budget to the state.

Administrators took three unpaid furlough days and gave up professional membership fees during the 2009-2010 school year.

“The leaders in this district understand the severity of the budget problems, and while it does impact them personally, they are willing to do what is necessary to contribute to helping to ease the problem,” said Superintendent Christine Johns. “It is my hope that as we have shared the budget information, others understand how severe the budget deficit is.

“My hope is that they (other employees in the district) will understand and make the appropriate decisions, as well.”

You can reach Staff Writer Kristyne E. Demske at kdemske@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1041.