Niskayuna school district could see reduction of
nearly $1.5 million in state aid under
Governor’s proposal
State’s economic
woes could yield mid-year cut; district taking
steps to curtail costs
Niskayuna school district officials are waiting
to see what happens as the state Legislature
convenes this week to address Governor
Paterson’s plan to alleviate the state’s
multi-billion dollar budget deficit. The
Governor’s proposal, released recently, includes
reducing $840 million in school aid to districts
across the state. For Niskayuna that would
result in a loss of $1,457,761 midway through
the current school year – a 10% reduction in
state aid promised for the current year.
To put this reduction in perspective, the items
listed below illustrate what $1.45 million could
fund for the district:
- 30
teachers; or
- heating,
water and electrical costs for an entire
year for all 10 buildings in the district;
or
- 14 school
buses; or
- 18,215
textbooks; or
- 1500
computers, essentially one for each student
in the high school
While it
appears unlikely that the Legislature will
approve the Governor’s proposal without some
modifications, Niskayuna school district
officials are alarmed by what a 10 percent
midyear reduction could mean in terms of
honoring its commitment to students, meeting
contractual obligations and paying for
day-to-day operations.
“We recognize the severity of the state’s fiscal
crisis and the need for tough measures,” said
Superintendent of Schools Kevin Baughman. “To
reduce funding halfway through a school year,
money that has already been allocated, would
have a devastating effect on the academic
programs and services we offer our students and
would be a disservice to the taxpayers who
approved our budget last May.”
Earlier this month, in response to the economic
downturn, school officials enacted several
cost-saving measures including a freeze on all
non-essential spending, traveling and hiring.
The freeze requires all job vacancies to be
reviewed by the superintendent to determine if
the position is vital to district operations or
program; and all requests for equipment
purchases to be reviewed by the superintendent
and the assistant superintendent. District
officials are also seeking mandatory reductions
in the current year budget from building leaders
and department supervisors. “We have asked that
every budget item be scrutinized and targeted
reductions be made wherever possible,” Baughman
said.
Other steps to reduce costs include:
- Setting
all district thermostats at 67 degrees
during the day; and 50 degrees on weekends
and during vacations where practicable;
- Turning
off computers and other electrical devices
when not in operation;
- Shutting
all lights off when rooms are not in use;
and
-
Restricting overtime
“These economic
challenges may delay or require us to
incrementally implement some of our
instructional initiatives,” Baughman said,
“however, we remain committed to moving the
district forward in the areas of student
achievement and curricular planning.”
District officials will continue monitoring
developments at the state level and will share
information with the community as it becomes
available.
(November 2008)
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