Gov. David Paterson wrote a letter on Tuesday, Nov. 25, to state school board presidents and superintendents to warn them that without mid-year cuts this year, next year’s budget will likely be on the chopping block instead.
Guilderland officials responded to the letter later that week, stating budget cuts could be detrimental to students and the community. They also cited some ways the district is planning to trim spending going forward.
Deeper reductions in education spending will now be required in next year’s budget to close the state’s budget gap, warned the governor’s office in a written statement.
The state faces a $47 billion budget deficit over the next four years, including at least $1.5 billion this year and $12.5 billion next year, according state officials.
Paterson wrote in the letter that the need to reduce state funding for schools could have a silver lining for the education system.
`Perhaps this crisis presents an invaluable opportunity for us to improve the structure of our educational system and how it is financed. I welcome any suggestions you may have,` Paterson wrote.
Information provided by the Guilderland School District indicated that state aid funds more than a quarter of the budget and is one of two major sources of funding for the district.
`We recognize the fiscal crisis before us, and that we all need to play a part in solving the problem,` said Superintendent John McGuire. `But significantly cutting funding to education will negatively impact our students and taxpayers.`
The district has already made moves to cut spending to prepare for future state cuts. It has `realized $1.7 million in cost-avoidance savings by being more energy efficient,` according to district officials. It has also saved more than $565,000 in health insurance by offering new prescription plans.
Spending has been partially frozen in several areas, including `paper consumption, copying and mailings, equipment, conferences, field trips, overtime, and the utilization of substitutes,` according to district officials.
`These potential savings will not come close to compensating for the levels of state aid reductions previously proposed by the governor; however, implementing these cost cutting measures is a responsible way to further enhance our cost-effectiveness and accountability without eliminating programs or staff or seriously compromising the education of our children,` McGuire said.
Paterson’s recent mid-year proposal included cutting spending in education growth from a planned 9 percent increase, to a 5 percent increase and would have allowed most schools to receive some funding increase compared to last year, according to a written statement from his office.
However, the state Legislature did not take action at a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, to cut school funding mid-year.
`I know that the months and years ahead will be difficult. But I look forward to your help and cooperation in addressing our state’s fiscal crisis. I know that together we can weather this storm and help get New York’s fiscal house in order,` Paterson’s letter read.“