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Board adopts 2010-11 budget proposal

April 22, 2010—The Duanesburg Board of Education recently adopted a $14,616,629 proposed budget for the 2010-11 school year, that would decrease spending by $248,284—or 1.68 percent less than the current year. The proposal is expected to carry an estimated tax rate increase of 2.68 percent.

Despite a decrease in spending, the tax rate will increase due to a $1.5 million gap between expenses and revenues in next year’s budget.

This is due, in large part, to a $1.2 million Gap Elimination Adjustment proposed in the governor’s executive budget to help close the state’s growing deficit. It is also the result of rising operating costs districtwide, such as health insurance, pension contributions and other contractual obligations.

“Nearly half of our revenues come from state aid so a reduction of this magnitude really impacts our schools,” said Superintendent Christine Crowley.

To close this gap through local property taxes alone would have required an estimated tax rate increase of 13.9 percent.

“This was never considered a viable solution, especially given the financial pressures many seem to be experiencing at this time,” said Crowley. “Subsequently, the board worked to find a balance that preserves programs and services as much as possible and is sensitive to the economic struggles that our neighbors and families are facing.”

A combination of solutions help balance the 2010-11 budget

In addition to a proposed tax rate increase, other measures were required to bridge the budget gap, Crowley explained. One such measure was a decision to use a portion of the district’s undesignated reserves—a “rainy day” fund set aside to pay for emergencies—as revenue in the 2010-11 school year.

“The board continues to take a conservative approach to using these funds to ensure the district’s long-term financial stability and ability to respond to emergencies,” said Business Administrator Brenda Kane. “We are aware of and preparing for the state’s fiscal problems to continue beyond 2010-11.”

The board made $325,340 in reductions districtwide to personnel, equipment and supplies. Five teachers also agreed to accept a retirement incentive, which will generate $104,000 in additional savings.

Through a combination of these efforts, the board was able to lower the impact on property taxes and restore several items that had been identified as potential cuts in an earlier draft of the budget.
Community members voiced opposition to many of the previously identified cuts, which included significant changes to sports, foreign language, band and clubs.

“We appreciate the community taking time to share their input and concerns with us throughout the budget development process—through attendance at board meetings and budget forums as well as via e-mail,” said Crowley. “Unfortunately, there were no easy solutions, and difficult decisions had to be made.”

Proposed reductions/additions

The proposed budget includes reductions to teaching and support staff positions, equipment and supplies (see right). Two of the teaching positions will be reduced through attrition while other personnel changes are being made due, in part, to an expected drop of 50 students at the high school next year.

“There are proposed cuts that will not be easy to manage, and we’ll have to make accommodations for these less than ideal situations,” said Crowley, referring to the elimination of a custodian and one kindergarten teacher—who was hired on a one-year basis with federal funding—and sharing a librarian between two school buildings.

To that end, the district may need to encourage more parent/community volunteers and restructure the custodial department for increased efficiency.

The proposed budget includes $19,377 in additions, which will be funded through cost-saving measures.
A part-time maintenance worker will be hired to accommodate proposed changes in the custodial department for a total savings of $25,600.

Two part-time lunch monitors are needed for 2.5 hours per day at the elementary school for supervision to replace the teacher aides who previously held this responsibility.

What happens if the proposed budget is defeated?
Under state law, if a school budget is defeated, the board can propose the same or a revised budget for a revote, or move directly to a contingency budget. If the board decides to present the budget—revised or not—for another vote and it is defeated a second time, the board must adopt a contingency budget. Under a contingency budget, the district will be required to make $15,062 in additional cuts beyond those already included in the proposed budget.

District residents will receive more a copy of the budget newsletter in early May.

Download the April 22 budget presentation - PDF (Please note: This is the same as the April 13 presentation).

Download a list of proposed expenditures - PDF

Budget reductions totaling $325,340:

• > Eliminate one full-time librarian and share one librarian between the middle/high school library and elementary school
• > Eliminate one full-day kindergarten teacher position, which was funded temporarily this year through federal stimulus aid
• > Eliminate one full-time English teacher though attrition. Position to remain vacant due to decreased enrollment at the high school
• > Eliminate one full-time music teacher through attrition. Position to be reduced to part-time due to decreased enrollment in band
• > Eliminate two teacher aides for Academic Intervention Services
• > Eliminate one full-time custodian
• > Continue to reduce custodial overtime
• > Eliminate staff training for Project Lead the Way, pre-engineering program
• > Reduce contractual health services for private/parochial students due to a decrease in participating students
• > Reduce budget for supplies by 4 percent
• > Reduce budget for supplies by 7 percent in transportation and operations & maintenance departments
• > Reduce budget for equipment
• > Eliminate purchase of textbooks not eligible for state aid
• > Eliminate purchase of software not eligible for state aid
• > Eliminate purchase of hardware not eligible for state aid
• > Reduce the use of diesel fuel

Visit the budget section for more budget-related news.