L.A. schools chief to work for free for a day
by Jason Song LA Times|LA NOW
February 5, 2010 | 4:29 pm --L.A. Unified Supt. Ramon C. Cortines has decided to go to work on Monday, a day he had originally planned to take off, although he will not be paid.
Cortines announced Thursday that he would take a furlough day to encourage others to do the same. The district is facing a deficit of up to $670 million, and officials have been urging union members to take four unpaid furlough days before June. If every L.A. Unified employee took four furlough days, the district could save an estimated $60 million.
But Cortines decided he had too much work to do and will go to the office. He will not be paid for his time.
-- Jason Song
●●smf’s 2¢: Here lies a moral dilemma: Is Cortines setting a good example by working unpaid? …or a dangerous level of expectation? (…employees are expected to work unpaid) Cortines is the #1 employee of the District – he is not an elected official. He is very well compensated – both by the District and as a Director of the Scholastic Corporation. Governor Schwarzenegger – who forgoes his salary as as an elected official (he’s paid a dollar a year to keep things legal) seems to be expecting state employees to work on furlough days when needed. If that is the expectation/requirement it is doubtful (as in: No way, José!) the courts will support this – ultimately triggering back pay being paid, fines, interest, penalties and court costs.
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