Duanesburg, Schalmont hold joint board workshop
District officials discuss sharing services to maintain, expand opportunities for students
December 14, 2011
The Duanesburg and Schalmont school boards are working
collaboratively to find creative cost-saving options in light of the state’s
budget crisis and its negative impact on the districts.
“The reality is schools cannot continue to operate the same way as they have in
the past,” said Schalmont Superintendent Dr. Valerie Kelsey. “We need to provide
the best education possible for all of our students in any way we can.”
Both districts are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain the level of
programs and services they currently offer in light of rising costs for health
insurance, pension contributions and salaries in combination with decreasing
enrollment and declining state aid. Additionally, living within the realities of
a new property tax levy cap law will likely force more difficult budget
decisions this year.
Following a joint workshop on Nov. 30, both school boards tentatively agreed to
continue talks about the possibility of conducting a feasibility study for a
shared bus garage and/or repair facility and piloting a program to share
electives. Both items will need to be discussed further by each school board,
separately.
“By exploring our options now, we’ll be one step closer to finding the best
long-term solutions,” said Kelsey.
The workshop provided an opportunity for board members to learn more about their
neighboring school district, ask questions, and brainstorm ways to maximize
student learning. A similar conversation was held between the Schalmont and
Mohonasen school boards this summer. Duanesburg will be having a similar
conversation with the Schoharie school board in January 2012.
“Brainstorming is the best way to come up with new ideas,” said Duanesburg
Superintendent Christine Crowley. “I applaud everyone for their willingness to
talk.”
Conversations focus on shared bus facility, pilot program
Conducting a comprehensive feasibility study would help board members evaluate
the potential cost-savings, if any, of a shared bus facility.
“If our bus facilities could be combined with another district and have no
impact on our students and save taxpayers’ money, we’d consider this option,”
said Crowley.
Both superintendents expressed concerns about the ability to continue funding
low enrollment elective courses, which are beneficial to students going on to
college. Next year, a pilot program could allow students to participate in a
shared elective course via a high-tech camera installed on a classroom computer.
This method would serve as an alternative to the distance learning labs, which
are utilized fully in both districts and expensive to build.
“Even if we save nothing, we’ll be providing our students with opportunities
they might not have otherwise had,” said Crowley.
Already sharing services
Both districts currently take advantage of ride-sharing opportunities for
students traveling to vocational schools, private schools, special needs
programs, sporting events and other school functions. Sharing transportation
costs helps cut fuel and overtime costs, as well as wear and tear on vehicles in
both school districts. In addition, the district’s split the cost of a Media
Immersion Program open to sixth- through eighth-graders, which is facilitated by
Proctor’s Theatre at Schalmont Middle School.
Board members also discussed the possibility of sharing services in the areas of
transportation, business support services, administration, faculty and staff,
special education, alternative education, professional development, athletics
and academic programs.
“We want to show our communities that we’re finding ways to save money and
preserve our existing programming,” said Sandra Beloncik, Schalmont’s board
president. “We’re trying to be as creative as we can.”