BC News

Governor's proposal would cut nearly $1.8 million in state aid mid-year
Release Date: Nov. 14, 2008

Governor David Paterson proposed a series of measures on Nov. 12 to close the state’s projected budget deficits, including an across-the-board cut in aid for school districts.

Under the Governor’s proposal, Bethlehem Central would lose $1,764,730 in state aid in the middle of this school year — money that it has been counting on to provide programs and services for all students, meet its contractual obligations and pay the bills necessary to operate.

While the state aid cut is only a proposal yet to go through the legislative process, district officials have already begun looking carefully at what it could mean for Bethlehem Central, its students and taxpayers.

The state Legislature is expected to consider the measures put forward by Paterson when it returns to Albany for a special session on Nov. 18.

The nearly $1.8 million mid-year aid cut proposed by the Governor is 9.7 percent less than the state pledged in aid this year and a sum that is nearly 2 percent of the district’s entire budget.

“We recognize that the state has entered very difficult fiscal times and that the Governor has a responsibility to address the situation,” Dr. Tebbano said. “But, it is students and taxpayers who lose when state aid is cut in the middle of the school year. Such a devastating hit would threaten existing programs and services and may lead to an even greater burden on local taxpayers.”

At the same time, Dr. Tebbano said it is incumbent on school districts to be as careful with taxpayer dollars as possible, noting that BC proactively instituted a non-essential spending freeze last month. At that time, the district largely cancelled student field trips, professional and curriculum development opportunities that required substitute teachers, and conference attendance. All hiring, including filling vacant positions, and supply and equipment purchases are to be reviewed by the superintendent and assistant superintendent under the freeze.

At the Nov. 19 meeting, Dr. Tebbano will brief the Board and the community about the Governor’s proposal and potential implications for the district. He will put the proposed $1.8 million mid-year state aid cut into some context by showing estimates of select areas of the current district budget in relation to the proposed cut.

“My message is basically that we are being as careful as possible already with taxpayers investment in the school district,” Dr. Tebbano said. “In our current budget, there is no good way to accommodate savings that are on par with the recommended state aid cut.”

The district will continue to closely monitor developments at the state level and will keep the community informed about any implications for the district on its Web site.

 

 

 

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