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Could Tight Finances Drive HCS to Consolidate?

Tue, Nov 30, 2010

Could Tight Finances Drive HCS to Consolidate?

Continued cuts in state aid could lead several area school districts -- including HCS -- to share even more services than they already do or even consolidate into one large district.

That is the crux of a message posted to the HCS website today by Superintendent Dr. Diana Bowers, who said some state funding has been frozen and it remains uncertain how some federal funds could be allocated, In addition, the state has already warned HCS and other school districts that they could be asked to once again take mid-year cuts in aid.

And, there is the likelihood that the legislature will pass a 2 percent cap on local property taxes next year.

Combined, this is prompting HCS and the other local districts to be proactive in discussing possible solutions.

"We believe that it is in the best interest of the Hamilton School District and the children we serve, to consider all possible options," says Bowers in her website posting. "It would be irresponsible to wait until we have reached the crisis situation before we investigate the alternatives we can consider. One alternative is consolidation."

While attorney general and as governor-elect Andrew Cuomo has championed the idea of government consolidation at all levels, including school districts. It is expect this will be part of his budget when it is introduced next year. He has repeatedly said there are more than 10,000 "governments" in New York, raning from school boards, towns, villages and cities to the myriad fire, lighting, water and sewer districts, numerous authorities and commissions.

Here is Bowers' complete website posting:

"As we enter the budget season for the 2011-2012 school year we are becoming acutely aware of the impact of decreased state aid. We are now entering the fourth year where Albany has "frozen" aid. In reality, they have frozen Foundation Aid; they have cut all other types of aid. Last year, Hamilton actually lost about 10 percent of our total aid. We are now being told that we may lose more due to a mid-year cut. 

"For the last three years, we have been looking at inventive ways to cut back on spending so there would be minimal impact on students and program. Some areas that have been impacted are insurance, transportation, sports and electives with low enrollment. We have also relied on federal funding through the Stabilization and Stimulus Acts to help defray the impact of continual cuts. Next school year, we will not have these funds to fall back on. We may have the option of using the "jobs money" that was released by the federal government this past August, however, New York State has not determined how this money will be allocated. These funds are presently unavailable for use until they decide.

"If the financial trend continues, it will become increasingly difficult for us to offer the types of programs and instruction that Hamilton has prided itself on. The number of experiences, electives, and opportunities we offer our students will diminish. The only classes and programs that will remain untouched, over the next few years, will be those that are mandated by the New York State Education Department, if the funding continues to decline. Knowing that this will most probably be the case, we have begun to discuss the options available to us in the future. We believe that it is in the best interest of the Hamilton School District and the children we serve, to consider all possible options. It would be irresponsible to wait until we have reached the crisis situation before we investigate the alternatives we can consider. One alternative is consolidation.

"There are many different ways in which consolidation could happen. Presently, we share services with Madison, Morrisville-Eaton and Stockbridge Valley. We may consider a greater level of consolidation if it would keep our instructional services at the present level. There are benefits that occur with consolidation that would allow our students to receive the same opportunities that they presently enjoy, or possibly increase opportunities.  Many conversations, with public input, would take place before any direction or decisions are made. Voter approval is necessary for a consolidation to occur. We do know that all four communities would like to keep their own identities, keep what matters to them educationally, and do what's in the best interest of children and learning. 

"Our Board of Education, along with the boards of Madison, Stockbridge Valley and Morrisville-Eaton, will begin preliminary discussions that explore this option along with any other viable options that ensures quality educational practices. If we were to truly consider such a change, there would be ample opportunity for community input and thorough explanations of all possible plans. We are in the fact finding stage and will look at anything that will keep a well rounded education available to the students of the Hamilton School District. There will be more information forthcoming. We will keep you posted."

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