CLINTONVILLE — Unless state aid increases dramatically, AuSable Valley Central School faces a $3.2 million deficit that will cost jobs and end programs.
The district has only around $478,000 in reserve funds, a far different picture than that painted by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He insists that nearly every district statewide is equipped with adequate reserves to contend with a historic state-aid cut and soaring costs.
"I don't know what the governor is talking about, but it is not us," said AuSable Valley Central School Superintendent Paul Savage.
"I have been a superintendent 11 years, and this is the worst budget I have ever seen. There is going to be an impact on staff and programs."
FACING PROBLEMS
Cuomo's proposed spending plan cuts aid to AuSable Valley Central School by $1.8 million.
State Retirement System contributions — set by the Comptroller's Office — are up $274,659, or 24 percent, and health-insurance costs increase $353,075.
Other cost increases include salaries and special-education costs, pushing AuSable's 2011-12 budget shortfall to roughly $3.2 million.
NOT ENOUGH RESERVES
Cuomo says the Comptroller's Office found that all but roughly 100 of the state's 696 districts have adequate reserves to cover the cut in aid.
Savage takes umbrage at such blanket references.
"Schools that are wealthier and have a better fund balance have that money, but that is not us. Stop painting us with that one big brush."
SKIPPING RAISES
Cuomo further suggests school districts renegotiate health benefits and salaries to find more money. He pointed out New York is No. 1 in education spending, yet 34th in performance.
Savage and Business Manager Scott Brow are not taking pay increases this year, and the superintendent is in talks with teachers.
Cuomo also suggested school districts use Education Jobs funds to help bridge the budget gap, but AuSable applied its portion — $374,661 — to the 2010-11 spending plan to retain as many essential programs and staff as possible.
"Schools could use the money over a one- or two-year period, and it was to our advantage to use the money to offset major cuts last year," Savage said.
"There is no money available for AVCS in this fund, and to say that all schools have this large sum available to use at its discretion is misleading and inaccurate."
MERGER
The governor also recommends school districts consolidate to save money, but Savage explained that AuSable is already a reorganized district, covering 300 square miles and nine townships.
"Further consolidations would not be a cost savings and in the end might even cost more for taxpayers," Savage said.
TAXES
That leaves school officials with little to no help covering the $3.2 million shortfall.
A rollover budget that does nothing more than maintain current staffing and programs would hike the tax levy — the amount of the budget to be raised through property taxes — by 33 percent. That, Savage said, is not an option.
In order to present a budget with a 4-percent increase in the tax levy, the district would have to eliminate 29 positions, 19 of which would be teachers.
A contingency budget would result in a 24-percent tax-levy increase.
"That is unacceptable," Savage said.
STUDENT IMPACT
Personnel whose positions could be in jeopardy have already been notified.
Shannon Stanley, a parent, worries layoffs would increase class sizes and hurt students.
"It seems like education is one of the first things to get cut," she said. "It is very discouraging."
She hopes the teachers union considers a wage freeze.
Some of the programs in jeopardy include General Equivalency Diploma classes, gifted and talented, academic-intervention services, athletics, after-school clubs and alternative education, which is in place for students struggling emotionally and academically.
"These programs are so beneficial to kids and are the right thing to do by kids," Savage said. "But we are putting them on the block because we don't have a choice."
School officials had lowered the tax rate from $18.2 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2004-05 to $14.3 this school year. Savage feels the district is being punished for doing the right thing.
"We are not losing hope, but I am frustrated, upset and angry."
E-mail Stephen Bartlett at: sbartlett@pressrepublican.com
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
Md. 911 Dispatcher Caught Sleeping on Job
Raw Video: Toddler Trapped in Washing Machine
Iowa Man With Zebra, Parrot in Truck Gets DUI
Egyptians Pick New President in Free Election
Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
