District taking hard look at all budget items for 2010-11 school year

march 9, 2010

Schuylerville Central School District, like most other districts across the state, is enduring a grim budget season. Governor Paterson has proposed a state budget that contains a 5 percent cut in school aid. On the surface, that does not sound like much, especially in hard economic times. Early estimates for Schuylerville indicate the district could lose as much as $850,000 in state aid next year.

“Together, the cut in state aid and the increase in expenditures basically add up to a budget gap of approximately $2.05 million compared with the current year’s budget,” said Superintendent Dr. Ryan Sherman. “With this being the case, we’re taking a hard look at all areas of the budget.”

 

Major factors affecting the proposed budget

 

 

 

 

Potential loss of $850,000 in state aid.

Increases in health insurance costs: $482,403.

Increases in employee retirement contributions: $103,874.

Increases in Medicare reimbursements: $60,531.

Contractual salary increases: $287,673.

Increase costs for BOCES special education and career education programs: $290,894.

Increased maintenance costs because of the additions to the Elementary School and Jr.-Sr. High School: $111,438.

 

The district’s budget development process changed significantly this year. In previous years, school administrators would work from the previous year’s budget. “This year, each principal, supervisor and director had to start from a zero budget and analyze every proposed expenditure,” Sherman explained. “It’s a ‘zero-based budget’ mentality and has allowed us to look at needs and items that might be eliminated or frozen in these difficult economic times. Expenses have been cut by approximately 11 percent from the original budget proposals in the Transportation Department, the Elementary School and the Jr.-Sr. High School.”

The cuts will be in combination with the use of some district reserve funds. “Thanks to some prudent fiscal planning, the district has some reserve funds that it can use to offset what might be perceived as drastic cuts to programs or tax increases. This is part of a four-year strategic plan,” Sherman commented. “Although we have some reserves, it’s going to be a painful four years. We are hoping the economy will begin to recover during this time. To be fiscally responsible, we must plan for the long-term, and have enough in our rainy day fund to take care of emergencies to help us through further losses in state aid that are likely to occur over the next several years. Nevertheless, we also need to be responsive to our local citizens and their financial challenges. It is a delicate balance; we are trying to spread out the financial pain over the next four years.”

However, in order to maintain a budget that meets the needs of both our students and taxpayers, the district has made several painful decisions that reflect the economic times we live in. Below is a list of some programs and personnel that were reduced or removed from the 2010-2011 school budget:

Personnel

 

 

 

 

3 Elementary School Teachers;

Special Education Teacher;

Guidance Counselor;

2 Educational Aides;

Arts-in-Education Coordinator;

Modified Football Coach;

Assistant Track Coach;

Assistant Soccer Coach;

Communications Service.

 

Programs or Services

 

 

 

 

Homework Help Program;

5 p.m. Bus Run;

Classroom Supplies;

Athletic Field Supplies;

Instructional Equipment;

Summer Curriculum Work;

Maintenance Supplies;

Arts-in-Education Program;

Various Co-Curricular Clubs;

Intramural Program.

 

This is a very difficult time for our school district; we will do everything in our power to preserve the stellar programs and services for our children. The administration, faculty, and staff will continue to work diligently to prepare our students to meet the demands of the 21st century.

 

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2010-11 Budget Proposal timeline

 

December 17, 2009: Presentation of Transportation Department budget, Technology budget and Buildings & Grounds budget to Board of Education.

January 7, 2010: Presentation to Board of Education on costs for personnel and materials/supplies.

January 28, 2010: Presentation to Board of Education on costs for BOCES and Special Education programs.

 

February 25, 2010: Presentation to Board of Education on anticipated revenues, as well as a rough draft of the proposed 2010-11 budget.

 

March 25 or April 15, 2010: Board of Education adopts 2010-11 budget proposal to present to voters.