District prepares for challenging budget season

Delay in state aid payments make for uncertain future

Update: Read the Jan. 14 Times Union article, Paterson to restore funding for schools, local governments

Dec. 22, 2009—Duanesburg Central School District officials will have to consider a number of financial challenges when they begin crafting the 2010-11 school budget in January.

On December 14, Governor David Paterson delayed 10 percent of the state aid funding slated for public schools in an effort to deal with the state’s growing budget deficit. This meant that Duanesburg didn't receive approximately $31,764 in revenues that officials were expecting.

The governor has also said that during the next few months other monies, including School Tax Reduction (STAR) payments, may also be delayed as part of his strategy for dealing with the state's fiscal crisis. The governor has indicated that he will delay 19 percent in STAR payments, which would equate to approximately $175,213 for Duanesburg.

Although the governor is saying that this money is just being lagged and will be paid in the future, some pundits are speculating that this lag may become a more permanent cut.

If this is the case, the district will be faced with some serious decisions on how to make up the money, including a spending freeze, staff reductions and tapping into its fund balance, a reserve set aside for emergencies.

“There is no doubt that a cut to our revenue would affect us, but there is still a lot of uncertainty at this point,” said Duanesburg Superintendent Christine Crowley. “While we keep a close watch on the situation in Albany, we’ll continue to implement cost-saving initiatives as much as possible.”

For example, the district is focusing on ways to conserve energy costs. Through participation in BOCES’ energy conservation and management program, money saved on utility expenses will enable the district to redirect its savings toward programs and services that benefit students.

The district also plans to apply for the new U.S. Education Department “Race to the Top” grant, in which New York state is eligible to receive up to $700 million in funds to accelerate reforms that improve education outcomes for all students and close gaps in achievement across the state.

Community encouraged to get involved in the budget planning process
The district will be holding two public meetings in which the community—parents, students, staff and taxpayers—will be asked to provide their feedback. Mark your calendar for Feb. 24 and/or March 1, from 7 to 9 p.m. Both meetings will be held in the high school cafeteria.

News and information related to the district’s budget will be updated online and sent out periodically through the School News Notifier Service. If you have not already signed-up for SNN, visit the SNN Web page today.