Area school administrators are bracing themselves for next year's state budget cuts that are expected to affect the amount available for aid to education. Gov. David Paterson is expected to announce his proposal on Dec. 16.
In an open letter to school administrators released last week, he said that the Legislature's failure to enact $836 million in midyear cuts in aid to education will require deeper cuts in next year's budget to close what he estimated to be a historic $47 billion deficit over the next four years. The school aid for 2009-10 was projected to increase by 8.8 percent, or $1.9 billion, Paterson said.
Area school superintendents know they are working in "a tough financial climate," said Morris Central School Superintendent Michael Virgil.
"Midyear cuts would have been devastating to a lot of schools," he said. With state increases the last two years, "we have been able to make really good progress in keeping taxes down," he said.
If the state reduces planned aid, "they need to look at reducing unfunded mandates," he said. This would include auditing requirements and some costs involving standardized testing.
Although the district is trying to save where it can during this time, "you don't save a lot unless you cut programs."
Morris isn't having any windfall savings, despite declining oil prices, because most schools lock in prices, he said.
By letting administrators know now about the situation, Paterson said, districts will have more time to plan accordingly.
The planning has started at the Oneonta City School District, said business manager Lisa Weeks.
"We are trying to cut back now," so there will be more funds
available for next year's budget, she said. This includes not replacing staff when they leave or retire, she said. Other areas being looked into with the help of former Deputy Superintendent Thomas Austin, who left earlier this year to take over as Walton school superintendent, are purchases, field trips and conferences, she said.
"It's an opportunity to take a look at what we are doing," she said.
Bainbridge-Guilford Central School Superintendent Karl Brown said he was "anxious" to see that Paterson will be proposing. But he said, "we have to share some of the pain," in the economic downturn.
While Brown was glad no cuts were made in the latest state session, depending on the size of the eventual plan, it might have been easier to absorb some of the changes now, he said.
"We are looking at freezing some items" such as field trips and equipment purchases depending on the necessity, he said. He will have a better idea later this month, when Paterson's plan is announced.
"It's part of the budget process," that concludes with passage of a state spending plan, he said. The school's budget is constructed by an advisory committee including about 12 from the school community. Area schools are usually at a disadvantage because unlike their downstate counterparts that have more businesses or property values, they depend on the state for most of their aid.
An interim cut would have been "disastrous," said Schenevus Central School Superintendent Lynda Bookhard, because the budget was already "pared down."
It's difficult to forecast what to expect, but each district knows it won't be getting the increase previously anticipated.
"We are holding our breath to see what will be coming," she said.
It was premature to talk about possible cuts, she said. She will be meeting with department heads this month and next to discuss possible cuts. The state could help the situation by doing something about unfunded mandates such as academic intervention services and requiring "green" cleaning supplies.
"It would make all the difference in the world," she said.
