Teachers stood down as private schools cut costs
Victorian private schools are standing down staff without pay in a bid to cut costs as some parents seek fee relief because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Education
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Private schools are standing down staff without pay in a bid to cut costs amid the pandemic crisis.
Up to 50 staff across four campuses at Haileybury were told on Wednesday they were no longer required, as Peninsula Grammar also stood down teachers during the week.
Staff at both schools were told they were ineligible for the federal government’s JobKeeper support package.
The cuts come as many private schools face an influx of parents asking for free reductions after they were put out of work due to COVID-19.
Many schools have advised parents they are cutting casual and administrative staff, stopping major and non-essential capital expenditure and bringing in executive pay cuts.
Some parents had warned they would be forced to pull children from private campuses and put them in public schools, putting stress on both sectors.
It’s understood impacted Haileybury staff worked in the music departments across Keysborough, Brighton, Berwick and the CBD.
The decision followed a letter from principal Derek Scott last week, confirming the school was making savings.
“To this point, we will not be proceeding with the scheduled pay-rise for staff in July and have withdrawn all bonuses staff were eligible for this year,” the letter said.
“A number of staff members who do not have front line teaching duties have had to be stood down, while others will be taking annual leave, Long Service Leave or leave without pay.”
A parent said the school’s decision to stand down staff was “a massive disappointment” and went against the “values and standards we hold dear”.
“We’re quite happy to keep paying the tuition for the music lessons to go ahead,” the mother said.
“If they’re doing everything else on Zoom, why can’t they do that too?”
Another parent said she would hire an external music tutor for her child to continue lessons, which could have otherwise paid the Haileybury teacher.
“The biggest shock for me is we’re still paying full fees,” she said.
“If their income is still the same, I’m struggling to understand the necessity (of standing down staff)”.
Independent Education Union secretary Deb James said while schools were facing pressure due to the crisis, “it’s not the time for schools to be standing down staff.”
“Independent schools have greater revenue certainty than most other organisations, and we call on them to treat their employees with the respect they deserve,” she said.
Students are entitled to receive quality education in Term 2, and we believe that all existing employees have an important role to play in delivering this.”
A statement from Haileybury said the school was “in discussions with a number of staff that may be stood due to a work stoppage in certain departments.”
“This is a distressing and sad situation for both the School and its impacted employees. All affected staff are highly valued members of our School community.”
The statement said all staff would be welcomed back after the pandemic is contained and government shut downs are lifted.
Peninsula Grammar did not respond to calls.