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General News: BOE Discusses Budget Problems
March 13, 2013
By Joseph Oliveto
The Cornwall Central School District Board of Education met at Lee Road Elementary School on Monday, March 11, to discuss the budget problems facing the district.
Before discussing specific issues, Superintendent Timothy Rehm reminded everyone that “There are an awful lot of unknown factors,” and “until a state budget is passed, there’s still time to fight.”
Rehm commended the board for working hard in the past to ensure that the district does its best to preserve all the programs its schools offer, while also admitting that the current budget situation may result in cuts that would involve the loss of jobs.
The budget presentation to the board began with a reminder that some information will not be available until the next meeting, including the results of a high school class size analysis and the savings that the district will gain due to retiring employees.
Although the board spent much of the meeting discussing possible cuts that could be made, few seemed eager to prioritize the potential cuts. The general consensus was that the board members are hoping to hear from their community to determine which school programs are most valued.
Board member Larry Berger said, “I’m just not comfortable starting with the process of decimating our school district.”
Board members made it clear that they did not want to merely discuss the financial effects of these cuts, but that they also wanted to have a genuine discussion about the possible detriment these cuts will have to Cornwall students.
Potential cuts that the board discussed included eliminating extracurricular activities in both the middle school and high school, which would save the district the cost of the stipends paid to the faculty members who run these programs. Although it was mentioned that parents may volunteer to take over these clubs, it was also pointed out that in this day and age, a potentially long screening process might need to take place that would possibly discourage volunteers.
Mr. Berger commented that students’ lives are enriched by these programs, and it would be disappointing for many to see them go.
Other cuts mentioned included the elimination of music competition events, although it was remarked that for many students, the arts are not merely a hobby, and depriving them of the opportunity to display their talent could hold them back from achieving their potential.
Cuts to the sports programs were considered, and although some pointed out that for many sports, students have opportunities outside of the school system to participate, Superintendent Rehm argued that the quality of coaching provided by the district is something that students would miss out on.
The potential loss of custodial, clerical, and administrative positions was discussed, as well as eliminating a Business Teaching position at the high school. As with all the other cuts mentioned, there were drawbacks to these, primarily in the form of less work getting done throughout the district, as well as students losing the benefit of a class that could orient them towards a future career.
Towards the end of the meeting, Superintendent Rehm said, “Next week, we’re at the high school. There are a lot of seats at the high school.”
The Board of Education is facing some potentially difficult decisions regarding the budget, and they want to hear from the community to determine how to go about making them. The next meeting will be on Monday, March 18, at 7:00 PM. It will be held at the high school.
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