By ALVIN REINER
WILLSBORO — Willsboro School Board might cut teaching positions as it works on developing a budget that will be palpable to taxpayers.
At its recent meeting, the board discussed several 2010-11 budget proposals.
The school is proposing to eliminate two elementary teaching positions, which include one pre-kindergarten position (currently there are two classes) and one teaching assistant that is assigned to the pre-K classroom.
The board also approved a Retirement Incentive Memorandum of Agreement, which will be sent to the Teachers Association for its endorsement.
The board deliberated about whether to sign up for fixed or variable fuel rates. It was estimated that the differences could amount to annual savings of about $26,000.
The board decided to go with the variable diesel rate ($2.23), fixed fuel oil ($2.45), fixed rate LP gas ($1.99) and variable kerosene rate ($2.34).
A savings will be realized in a Mountain Valley Athletic Conference soccer schedule that will have 16 contests rather than the current 18.
Willsboro will continue to budget $15,000 for computer hardware, which is part of its three-year cycle of computer upgrades within the school. Computer equipment removed from the lab will be placed in the classrooms.
The proposed budget anticipates a 7-percent increase in special-education costs and a 6-percent raise in health-insurance rates.
Overall, the proposed budget will be about $38,000 less than the current budget.
"Our budget committee has done a good job to weather the storm," Superintendent Stephen Broadwell said.
Board member Phyllis Klein and Broadwell reported on the Clinton-Essex-Washington-Warren School Boards meeting they attended on March 4 and showed a video, "Be the Change for Kids." It indicated the direction schools will have to head in the face of possible reduced funding from state and federal sources.
"There is very little under our control," Klein said. "It was an eye-opener for me, especially the special-education statutes."
Each BOCES unit was challenged to come up with three ways to reduce costs.
"This has to come from the grassroots level," Klein said. "Health insurance and special education are two big components we have to focus on."
Among the ideas are shared services, which Willsboro has been doing, and joining with others in collective bargaining for reduced health-insurance rates.
E-mail Alvin Reiner at: rondackrambler@yahoo.com
