A memo went out at the Seattle Times a short time ago listing the newsroom employees who are taking the paper’s buyout offer.

There were, apparently, four more “expressions of interest” (EOIs) from employees who wanted buyouts than the paper was willing to approve. Times Executive Editor David Boardman writes in the memo:

We accepted EOIs from 19 people, two of them in a job share and five of them editors. These people will take with them a wealth of talent and experience, leaving an enormous challenge for those of us who remain. But their willingness to step forward preserved the jobs of people with less seniority and whose Seattle Times careers are largely ahead of them.

Here’s the buyout list, with job identifications as described by a Times source:

Melinda Bargreen, Classical Music Critic

Scott Barry, North Bureau editor

Ted Basladynski

Paula Bock, Pacific Northwest Magazine Writer

Arlene Bryant, East Bureau Editor

Florangela Davila, TV and Radio Writer

Rich Dilworth

Ranny Green, Pet Writer

Jerry Holloron, Copy Editor

Shirleen Holt, Reporter

Marsha King, Metro Reporter

Lee Moriwaki, Editorial Page

Tom Reese, Photographer

Bill Ristow, Web

Nyssa Rogers, East Bureau

Francine Ruley

Tom Scanlon, Music Writer

Janine Steffan, Reporter

Betty Udesen, Photographer

What’s this “Extreme May-kover” all about? It’s explained in the memo, which is in the jump.

The past 11 days have been among the most difficult in decades here, since we announced the significant staff reduction we must endure. Yet, these trying times have also demonstrated that this is not just any newsroom, or news staff. I am profoundly grateful to you all for the trust, respect, grace and professionalism you have displayed under fire.

We received and accepted enough Expressions of Interest in News and Editorial to avoid further layoffs beyond those we announced last week. In fact, we have one opening for a reporting job and have posted that to the six zone reporters who were identified for layoff. The number of involuntary terminations will be reduced to 15.

We accepted EOIs from 19 people, two of them in a job share and five of them editors. These people will take with them a wealth of talent and experience, leaving an enormous challenge for those of us who remain. But their willingness to step forward preserved the jobs of people with less seniority and whose Seattle Times careers are largely ahead of them.

The EOIs we are accepting come from: Melinda Bargreen, Scott Barry, Ted Basladynski, Paula Bock, Arlene Bryant, Florangela Davila, Rich Dilworth, Ranny Green, Jerry Holloron, Shirleen Holt, Marsha King, Lee Moriwaki, Tom Reese, Bill Ristow, Nyssa Rogers, Francine Ruley, Tom Scanlon, Janine Steffan and Betty Udesen.

We turned down four additional requests. I recognize that those rejections may hurt not only the people who submitted them, but those who remain on the layoff list. The way this process was set up, any job for which we accept an EOI simply vaporizes. Our goal was to reach our savings target while preserving our ability to produce a high-quality newspaper and Web site.

While we are losing wonderful contributors both through voluntary and involuntary departures, we will continue to have not only the finest news staff in the Northwest, but one of the best of any regional newspaper in America. Still, there is much hard work
ahead.

Our first priority is an appropriate formal farewell to those who are leaving. After that, we plan to use the month of May to engage you all in what we’re calling “Extreme May-kover,” looking at everything we do from a fresh perspective and forging a plan for the future.

Before then, please just take time to enjoy all of our departing colleagues and to absorb whatever bits of wisdom we can glean from them before they leave.

Again, my deepest apologies to those who are losing their jobs and to those who spent these days with their jobs in limbo. Thanks to the rest of you for your patience, perseverance and renewed commitment to serving our community with quality journalism.