Even with two school closings, $700,000 in cuts proposed
Two schools will be closed in the Schalmont Central School District next year, but there are still cuts needed in the budget to reach a 2 percent tax increase, according to Superintendent Valerie Kelsey.
Kelsey is proposing an additional $700,000 in cuts to the district, which would result in a $41.65 million budget for 2011-12. While the two school closings resulted in nearly two-thirds of the $2 million in proposed cuts, remaining reductions could include three administrative positions and 21 full-time equivalent support and teaching staff members. The school board also voted Feb. 28 to eliminate the principals of Mariaville and Woestina elementary schools, the schools that will be closed.
By closing two schools, plus declining enrollment, we have had minimal cuts in programs for children, said Kelsey. `We had talked a lot about paying for brick and mortar as opposed to being more efficient and that is helping us a lot now to keep programs.`
State aid reduced for the district by $1.1 million and mandated costs continue to increase, which include $765,000 for employee salaries and health insurance, employee retirement costs increasing $265,000 and teacher retirement costs raising nearly the same at $270,000. The reductions in aid and increased cost ultimately led the board to close the schools and try to maintain programs.
`Had we not reached the decision at the end of the year to close the two other schools, we might have been talking about significant changes to the programs,` said Board of Education President Kevin Thompson. `We seem to be able to preserve most of the programs that are currently being offered to our students with some exceptions. The negative aspect of it would be the fact that approximately 25 positions would be eliminated as part of this budget, so that concerns everybody.`
While a proposed budget hasn’t been released on the district’s website as of Tuesday, March 8, by the superintendent, she discussed with the board some possible reductions during the last meeting. Around 50 percent of the equipment costs might get cut across the board, along with all field trips and summer programming. While the high school summer school will remain, the middle school offering would be eliminated and the summer elementary literacy program would be cut. Summer school isn’t mandated by the state. Sports programming will also see some cuts, such as cutting freshman girls and boys basketball, since there aren’t many teams to play against due to other school reductions.
`I think everybody would like to increase program offerings but it is not going to get anywhere in the foreseeable future,` said Thompson. `It was less than a month since we have come to the conclusion to close the two schools that now is the time we are focusing on the rest of the money.`
The board in particular is looking to keep the 20 high school honors, advanced placement and college level courses being offered to students, Thompson said so students can be best prepared for college and moving on from their high school studies.
He also noted parents have become understanding of the school closing and have been actively working for a positive transition for students. For one after school program, he said parents have been getting together to plan for the future switch.
`I have heard members of the community that are now willing to move forward,` he said. `I’m proud of the residents that they are committed to make this a positive outcome for themselves and the kids. They are supportive of it and the kids are resilient and excited about some of the changes.“
