School Board Projects Potential Cuts And Savings at Budget Meeting

The met on Tuesday night at to discuss potential cuts and savings for the district.  For more than three hours, the Board studied projected numbers for the future, and heard from the community about best possible solutions.

Before the budget discussions began, the Board welcomed the incoming Principal for Schreiber High School, Ira Pernick.  Replacing interim principal Dr. Francis Banta, Pernick will begin his position on July 1.  He has served as principal of Robert F. Kennedy Community High School for nine years, and is an adjunct professor at Stony Brook University. Pernick addressed the board and everyone in attendance: "Thank you to everyone on the board.  After every step of the selection process, I became more and more excited.  I look forward to working with all of you."

The budget presentation began with Mary Callahan, assistant superintendent for business, presenting a powerpoint slide titled "2011-12 Budget Information Draft."  While only five slides in length, the projected numbers left an impression on everyone.

It was projected that if the same budget decisions that were made last year continued, there would be a budget increase of $8.5 million. This includes staff raises, increases to pension and healthcare costs, and revenue decreases from cuts in federal and state aid.

The savings goal is $4.6 million (a 3 percent budget increase), and through retirements, attritions and cuts, $4.2 million would be saved, leaving $436,231 left to balance.  The retirements and attritions savings ($2.3 million) would come from individuals retiring, but not having to replace those positions. These positions include custodians, secretaries, teachers and paraprofessionals. While making savings, this would increase the work load for remaining teachers and staff.

Suggested cuts, which include librarians, PEP (Port Washington Enrichment Program) teachers, sports and clubs, textbooks and the Adult Education Program, would amount to $1.9 million in savings.  More than any other area of the projections, these potential cuts drew the most criticism from the board members.  Following the presentation, they shared their views.

One of the main concerns was the cutting of PEP teachers.  

"We built this program.  It took us nine years to create PEP, and it has been a success.  Now we're going to start dismantling it?" said Vice President William Hohauser.  

"We're a first rate district that is going to become a second rate district in a few years with these cuts," said Larry Greenstein.  "Extra-curricular activities are the reason many students want to come to school, we can't just take that away from them."

Residents wanted solutions.

"It's not fair that we are suffering because of what the legislators and government officials in New York State have done," said one parent, addressing the School Board. "We're here, asking you to do something on our behalf, so that our children have a chance at having a future.  This is literally our future at stake here."

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Geoffrey N. Gordon, agreed with his fellow board members, yet reluctantly stood by the proposal.  

"There is no easy solution here," he said. "If you're going to be outraged at someone, be outraged at New York State.  We are not recommending any of these actions take place, but what else are we supposed to do?"  

Board member Robert Seiden said, "We have to ask ourselves: What can we cut that will not effect the inside of the four walls of our classrooms?  That is where the magic happens.  What happens in the next few weeks will test this districts survival."

Another topic of concern is the operation of near empty buses on a daily basis. Gordon elaborated on this issue:  "We had a New York Times reporter here recently, and he took a photograph of one of our buses driving only one student home.  Transportation has been a major issue in balancing our budget.  It's been raised many times at our meetings, and something needs to be done about it." Currently, New York State law states that a seat on a bus needs to be provided on a daily basis for every child that is eligible for busing.

Concluding the meeting,  Gordon asked all the students in the auditorium to stand.  He told them: "Every decision I have made for 43 years has been about you.  I promise to return here with a plan of action that will not cut programs for students."