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HCS Budget Development Continues

Sun, Mar 27, 2011

HCS Budget Development Continues

Work continues on developing the 2011-2012 HCS budget, and:

  1. It remains uncertain what amount of aid will be received from the state;
  2. The Board of Education and administration continue seeking ways to cut expenses while staying true to the district's educational mission;
  3. The district hopes that the community will work with it to address its fiscal issues.
  4. Superintendent Dr. Diana Bowers wants to get back to the reason for all of the discussions in the first place.

"I'll be pleased when I can spend most of my time talking about the kids," said Bowers at a community meeting last week at which the district's budget and possible merger with the Morrisville-Eaton District were discussed.

Bowers said that as the April 1 (Friday) deadline for the state budget approaches, she hopes to have a clearer picture of the amount of state aid HCS will receive. At about the same time as the meeting, word came out of  Albany that legislative leaders are hoping that as much as $250 million in school aid would be restored to the budget, which cuts $1.5 billion in aid.

Like most other districts, HCS is looking for ways to further tighten its belt. The $11,493,000 spending plan includes a modest 1.39 increase over the current budget, despite considerable increases in the district's contributions to retirement programs, the cost of heating oil and diesel fuel and special education expenses.

Much has been made of how the district could save money by sharing some services with other districts. At the meeting Bowers said HCS will combine several sports teams with Morrisville-Eaton.

Starting this fall HCS and MECS will combine their varsity and modified football and cross country teams. Bowers said the two districts' superintendents and athletic directors are also discussing the possibility of combining baseball and field hockey teams next year.

HCS is also conferring with MECS, Madison and Stockbridge Valley about creating some sort of combined solution for bus services, including the possibility of contracting with an outside organization like Bernie Bus.

Also last week, Bowers shared a letter from the district that is being circulated. It says, "Over the past few years, education has become a very complex business. At times, it is seen as more of a political machine than a necessity for children."

The letter asks district residents to "Realize that HCS is your community partner and not the political opposition." She adds:

"a) Partner with us, give us constructive ideas, listen to the reasons why and why not, respect the fact we have decades of experience working in this political environment and help us take on the change process effectively.

"b) Understand that divisive behaviors only make the process more difficult for everyone and make us lose sight of the real important issue, the education of our children.

"c) The data available regarding school districts, mergers, and so on can be manipulated to create many different perceptions. Please realize that all existing data and studies relating to other districts may or may not be germane to our situation. Look for relevance and correlations to the characteristics of HCS when collecting and/or deciphering information."

HCS is not alone in its struggles to create a spending plan that allows it to continue its educational mission while cutting costs and keeping any tax increase to a minimum. A recent survey of districts by the New York State School Boards Association found:

"To close their budget shortfalls, superintendents reported they will resort to a number of cost-saving measures, including:

  • "76 percent plan to increase class sizes
  • "72 percent plan to reduce or eliminate extracurricular activities/athletics
  • "70 percent plan to reduce elective courses
  • "59 percent plan to defer maintenance
  • "56 percent plan to reduce extra help for students
  • "49 percent plan to reduce transportation services
  • "47 percent plan to reduce or eliminate summer school
  • "8 percent plan to close one or more school buildings

"Even though 57 percent of survey respondents said they plan to freeze or reduce spending, 85 percent said they will be forced to ask voters to approve a property tax increase for next year."

The board of education will approve a final budget next month and districts residents will vote on it in May.

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