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General News: School Board Expects Cuts in 2009
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| Members of the Cornwall Board of Educaation. Standing: Charles Frankel, Gregory Whalen, Dave Moretto, Barbara Manzari, David Carnright. Seated: Melanie Mulroy-Robinson, Lawrence Berger (v.p), Brendan Coyne (pres.), Superintendent Timothy Rehm and James Congelli. |
November 26, 2008
At their monthly meeting on Monday, members of the Cornwall school board began discussing ways to cut costs next year in the face of impending cuts in state aid.
Cornwall schools superintendent Timothy Rehm told the school board that significant cuts are likely next year, even though the New York state legislature failed to act on Governor Paterson’s request to cut $836 million in aid in the current year. Cornwall would have lost $1.08 million in the current budget if the governor’s proposal had been approved.
On Tuesday, Governor Paterson sent a letter to school superintendents and boards across New York state warning them that the failure to cut costs this year will only make the cuts more difficult and painful next year. He said that the projected 8.8 percent increase in state education aid – a total of $1.9 billion – will have to shrink and advised school districts to start preparing for that future.
At Monday’s meeting, school board members kicked around a few suggestions. Larry Berger, who occupies the vice-president spot on the board, said he thought the district should look at consolidating the administration offices into the high school. Board president Brendan Coyne said it would be worth discussing a four-day school week, noting that some districts had already implemented that change.
Board member James Congelli presented a document he created that looked at the potential cost-savings if seven measures adopted by the district last week were carried out for the rest of this school year and next. (See related story here.) Those measures include a freeze on all discretionary purchases for materials, including supplies, books and equipment. Courtesy water, coffee and other food-related items would be cancelled as well, along with conference requests that have not been previously approved.
Congelli also recommended looking at the cost of bus transportation and suggested that some buses operate only partially full. School assistant superintendent for business Harvey Sotland said that every bus is virtually full but he didn’t dismiss the idea of reviewing the system to find cost savings.
Comments:
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The buses may be empty in the afternoon, but my children report that the buses are crowded in the morning.
posted by Carlotta Shearson on 11/26/08 at 3:29 PM
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Push has come to shove; you pay for a school lunch, why not pay for a school bus ride to and from school. Its either or when it comes to manageing a school budget. Think it over. A four day school week will cause more problems than what it is worth ... it has been tried for years in many rule farming communities ... end result, a five day school week.
posted by Lee Record on 11/28/08 at 10:46 AM
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I wonder what percentage of administeration and teacher raises the school board is willing to take off the table for next year. What I know is that most parents work 5 days a week. A 4 day school week will be met with great opposition by both parents and I would hope the teachers as well who have their plates full enough.
posted by Katherine Santiago on 11/29/08 at 10:40 AM
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Is money the issue? Lease the superintendent a Hyundai and ditch his $600/month car allowance.
posted by Robert Langston on 11/30/08 at 10:41 AM
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Factor in this and last year's raise during these tough times and he could pay cash.
posted by Robert Langston on 11/30/08 at 11:11 AM
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