Anyone hear anything on school budgets

It is strangely quiet

We see news of other districts getting hit with 3 million dollar increases - you have to wonder

Quoted from TippyCanoe

Anyone hear anything on school budgets

It is strangely quiet

We see news of other districts getting hit with 3 million dollar increases - you have to wonder

      I have heard that Schalmont is "proposing" no increase for this year.  Haven't heard anything out of Mohonasen yet.

Don't sweat it! It is for the "the kids!"

http://www.schalmont.org/District/boardofed/Budget1011home.htm

http://www.schalmont.org/District/2010-11_budget/100225_budget_story.htm

State Aid Cuts Mean More Challenges

(Feb. 25, 2010) -- Schalmont district officials are bracing for difficult choices as development of the 2010-11 budget begins, given Governor Paterson’s $1.2 million proposed cut to Schalmont’s state aid for the 2010-11 school year, coupled with the steadily increasing costs of running the school district and the already bare-bones budget adopted last year.

The board of education will continue its deliberations on the 2010-11 budget at a series of community budget forums, the first of which will take place on March 24 at 7 p.m. at the high school.

The proposed $1.2 million cut represents a 10% percent reduction in the district’s total state aid package from the current year. State legislators will now take up the governor’s proposal, with a final state budget due by April 1. In years past, the legislature has found ways to restore some, if not all, of the governor’s proposed cuts. But superintendents across the state, including Dr. Kelsey, doubt that will happen this year in light of the state’s severe economic crisis.

“We understand that good schools are an important part of attracting and retaining residents in our community,” said Dr. Kelsey. “We also know that everyone is going through hard financial times now. That said, the gap between the costs of our programs and the revenue we have to pay for them means that we need to work with our community to decide what’s most important.”

Aid cuts, rising costs create budget gap

In addition to the proposed $1.2 million drop in state aid, the district again faces higher costs for health insurance, higher retirement costs for teachers and other employees, and mandated increases in salaries. The goal is to focus on the preservation of core programs and services and continue to prepare students to compete in the 21st century, Dr. Kelsey explained.

Board of Education President Kevin Thompson said the board is committed to not passing the entire burden on to taxpayers, but he noted that will likely require making some significant cuts to the budget, including eliminating some teacher and support staff positions.

“Our commitment to preparing our students for the future hasn’t changed and won’t change,” said Dr. Kelsey. “However, in this economic climate, and given the extremely lean budget we adopted last year, nothing is off the table. Cutting supplies and field trips won’t close the gap. Recognizing that we cannot solve this by simply raising taxes, we have to consider making cuts to the major portion of our budget, and that’s staffing.”

District following sound business and energy policies

Next year’s budget development aside, district officials continue exploring ways to control costs and reduce spending. The district is keeping energy costs under control through an energy conservation plan that is estimated to have saved more than $180,000 in its first school year (2008-09) and is expected to continue saving that much or more in the years ahead. Schalmont has also signed a multi-year contract with its energy suppliers so that its energy costs are remaining relatively stable during the 2010-11 school year. The district saved money in the 2009-10 budget season through a variety of measures, including cutting staff, freezing the bus replacement plan, reducing the amount of supplies used, and joining with other Schenectady County schools to purchase food, supplies, bus parts and other items. All told, the district’s spending reductions resulted in a 0% increase in the tax levy last year.

The district has managed its funds responsibly, and currently has a fund balance that meets state mandates. Both Dr. Kelsey and Business Administrator Mark Kellett said the district’s fund balance may help bridge the budget gap, but they disagree with those who argue that this is the year to put off hard choices by depleting the fund balance.

“That would be irresponsible,” Kellett said. “If we use up our fund balance, we won’t have it going forward, and we don’t expect things to get better for several more years. We also want to be clear that you can’t use a one-time payment to solve problems that are going to come back year after year.”

Dr. Kelsey reiterated the need for members of the community to work with the district during the planning process. “I encourage everyone to come to our first budget forum on March 24 and to stay connected via our Web site,” she said.

http://www.mohonasen.org/budget/index.cfm

http://www.mohonasen.org/budget/2010-2011/cuts_022510.cfm

District officials eyeing 2010-2011 budget cuts

March 15 meeting open to the public

Feb. 25, 2010
"These cuts will need to be substantial in order to address the gap between natural increases in expenses and decreasing revenues, particularly state aid."
- Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Spring

In the face of a possible cut in state funding for next year, Mohonasen officials are preparing a list of proposed budget cuts for the Board of Education to consider as they move forward in the budget development process.

“These cuts will need to be substantial in order to address the gap between natural increases in expenses and decreasing revenues, particularly state aid,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Spring said.

A public meeting to discuss the possible cuts and the overall budget for next year has been scheduled for March 15 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held in the high school’s Farnsworth Technology Center (LGI).

This past January, Governor David Paterson proposed a more than $1 billion cut to education funding statewide – in addition to already flat state aid for a second year. This would result in an approximately $1.3 million reduction in aid for Mohonasen. This cut leaves the district with an approximate $3 million gap between expenses and revenues, Spring said.

To fill this gap, officials must either raise taxes or cut expenditures. Spring has said that in these difficult economic times, making up for this reduction in state aid by increasing taxes cannot be the only option for the district.

Aid outlook

In the past, school districts could usually expect the state legislature to restore the Governor’s cuts and often put through modest increases in education aid. Last year, schools were anticipating big state aid reductions but were rescued at the last minute by the federal economic stimulus.

While some of that stimulus money is being carried over into 2010-11, it is being used to fill the current state budget gap. This means there is no additional money to make up for the Governor’s proposed cuts for next year.

Those watching the state’s economic situation believe that while some school aid may be restored for next year, final state aid numbers will be very close to what Governor Paterson has proposed.

Solid footing

Despite this gloomy picture, Mohonasen is on solid financial footing.

Last year, voters approved a $42.4 million spending plan for 2009-10 that represented a tax levy increase that was just over a half percent– the lowest increase in Mohonasen history. This budget contained modest cuts and cost savings measures that stretched an already lean budget. Given the economic conditions, district officials were fortunate in that they were able to be strategic and ensure that the cuts were not detrimental to programs and services for students.

Since then, district officials have continued to closely monitor expenses, looking for even more ways to save money and be efficient. Through the years, Mohonasen has prided itself on careful and conservative financial planning. If by nothing else, this is proven by the fact that the district’s per pupil expenditure is consistently among the lowest in the state.

Looking toward next year, Spring said the goal is to be creative when looking at budget cuts.

“Our first priority is to look at cuts that keep programs in tact, which will be a great challenge given the current economic climate and the fact that some cuts were made last year. For example, staffing reductions may increase class sizes but will not reduce or eliminate programs,” Spring said. “In addition, the economic crisis will be a multi-year issue for districts, so we are also trying to be strategic in our preparation for the next two budget cycles.”

“We are getting ready to make decisions that could have a significant impact on our district, which is why we need the community to come out on March 15 and become part of the conversation,” Spring added.

When thinking about school district budget cuts, there are three things to keep in mind:

Much of a school district’s budget is “untouchable.” For example, a school district can’t cut courses that are required for graduation, eliminate services that are mandated by the state and federal governments or reduce benefits that have been negotiated as part of an employee contract. There are also some parts of the budget that are fully state aidable, such as textbooks and library books. Reducing those lines would only result in a cut in revenues and would save little or nothing for local taxpayers.

Most of the money spent on education is on “people costs.” Every program the district offers, every service it provides and every task it carries out on behalf of students requires people to do the actual work. That means if school districts are to cut their costs by a substantial amount, they can’t avoid cutting jobs, which not only hurts those whose positions have been eliminated but also adds to the country’s unemployment problems.

Some cuts look good on paper but don’t work out in practice. For example, the elimination of one teaching position can in some cases do more than just raise class sizes – particularly at the high school – it can make it difficult, or even impossible, to schedule every student into their required courses.

To learn more about the Mohonasen budget development process or the district’s budget in general, please visit http://www.mohonasen.org/budget.

Officials are expected to finalize the 2010-2011 budget proposal by April 12. The budget will then go before voters on Tuesday, May 18. Anyone with questions should call the district business office at 356-8210.

After the school that fired all the teachers.....I think it will be quiet.....