2011-12 Budget News
Board to consider using additional fund balance savings
Budget discussions continued at the March 22 Special Board Meeting with the board reviewing the Level I cuts recommended by administration at the March 15 Community Budget Forum and an additional reduction of a .08 FTE Special Education teacher. This reduction is based on updated figures which show the district will have less special education needs in the 2011-12 school year. [DOWNLOAD MARCH 22 PRESENTATION]At the meeting, the board discussed using more of the district’s fund balance as a way to keep the tax rate increase low. The board is considering using an additional $500,000 from the fund balance to offset the budget gap, due mainly to a significant loss in state aid, as a way to reduce the double-digit rollover budget tax rate increase down to single digits.
The board also discussed adding four items on the Level I cut list back into the proposed budget if funding becomes available. These items include keeping the art annex building open ($4,000); keeping the BOCES Substitute Teacher Service ($9,500) which places qualified substitute teachers in our schools when our teachers are absent; continuing to offer late buses four nights a week ($7,500); and also continuing to support a library aide four nights a week ($1,500).
Business Administrator Brenda Kane explained that administrators are still seeking other cost saving initiatives such as a possible retirement incentive, a review of class sizes and sections, and continued negotiations with unions regarding health insurance changes.
The next board meeting is April 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the MS/HS multi-purpose room.