CLINTONVILLE — When Gov. David Paterson slashed education aid, he assumed most schools would be able to cover the reduction with fund balance.
That isn't the case at AuSable Valley Central School, where the loss in aid was nearly twice the amount available in reserves.
So school officials had little choice but to put together a budget that increases taxes about 3 percent and cuts positions and services.
"It is our hope that the governor and legislature will adopt a budget and restore the aid that was taken away in the governor's budget proposal," said AVCS Superintendent Paul Savage.
Paterson's proposal cut AuSable Valley's aid by $870,779.
"Our philosophy is to provide a high-quality education for our students, and it has been a real challenge to minimize the impact on programs and services with a cut in aid of $870,779," Savage said.
"This is a significant decrease in aid, especially for schools like AVCS, who are highly dependent on state aid."
As a result, the School District will eliminate three teaching positions through attrition and one through a leave of absence, while a licensed practical nurse will be laid off.
Under the 2010-11 budget, the district will reduce supplies by 25 percent, delay computer purchases for a year and cut summer hours and curriculum development, teacher mentoring and student character-education programs.
"We have done our very best to build a modest reserve under good fiscal management, within the state guidelines, and with a desire to protect taxpayers in tough times," Savage said. "Now we are being penalized for following such guidelines."
The 2010-11 budget proposal totals $26,569,342, up 0.76 percent from the current spending plan.
The tax levy — the amount to the raised by taxes — totals $11,035,461, for an increase of 3.1 percent.
The tax rate per $1,000 of assessed property value is projected to increase 3.1 percent to $15.43.
The School Board is scheduled to adopt the spending plan at its meeting at 6:15 tonight at the Middle/High School auditorium. The budget hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. May 10 in the Middle/High School auditorium.
"New York state's failure to adopt a timely budget has put school districts in a tough position when trying to build budgets and accurately project state aid," Savage said.
"Overall, we are proud of the educational programs and results we have achieved at AVCS, and during these challenging times we believe that this budget meets the needs of both our students and community."
E-mail Stephen Bartlett at: sbartlett@pressrepublican.com
