Willamalane has laid off 288 part-time and seasonal employees.
The temporary layoff aims to provide access to resources and temporary unemployment flexible benefit insurance that the state of Oregon and the federal government are providing.
“This is an incredibly difficult decision but one we have to make,” said Michael Wargo, superintendent for Willamalane. “This is a phenomenal group of people who keep our programs and facilities running, and they are people that we truly value. But, given the reality we’re facing, this is a necessary step we need to take to ensure the financial health of the district.”
Willamalane will expedite the district’s typical pre-employment process for these affected employees. The district will reassess circumstances regularly and recall laid-off employees at the pace that the district reopens.
The recall will be based first on job function, and then by seniority.
Willamalane is a special tax district that draws approximately 40% of its operating budget from revenue generated through program registration, facility attendance, memberships, and other programs, which are all suspended.
Until these programs can resume, Willamalane is forced to cut staffing costs.
Impacted staff includes Willamalane lifeguards, class instructors, after-school program leaders, custodial staff, customer service staff, park maintenance staff, and others.
