BC News

Governor's letter warns of state aid cuts for next year
Release Date: Nov. 26, 2008

The district should anticipate a reduction in state aid for 2009-10 budget, according to Governor David Paterson.

In an open letter sent to school superintendents and board of education presidents across the state this week, Paterson said that the lack of action on mid-year aid cuts he proposed earlier this month means that school districts should be prepared for deeper declines in school funding next year.

“Fiscal management is all about making hard, painful decisions, and the rejection of a mid-year School Aid reduction by the Legislature means that deeper declines in funding for school districts will now be necessary in 2009-10 to ensure a balanced budget,” the Governor wrote.

State aid accounts for nearly 30 percent of the district’s budget. In a presentation to the Board of Education and the community earlier this month, Superintendent Michael Tebbano said that if such a significant portion of the district’s revenue is reduced, there are only a few areas to make up for it — fund balance, property taxes, and cutting programs and services.

“None of those options are good, so the Governor’s letter is really another warning signal for the district and the community that difficult decisions are ahead,” Superintendent Michael Tebbano said. “I understand that with the state facing such a fiscal crisis, the Governor has a responsibility to act. At the same time, I am very concerned about the prospect for reductions in state aid because we have a responsibility to provide a quality education for all students and to limit, to the greatest extent possible, the burden on our taxpayers.”

The district has been proactive in dealing with the difficult economic climate by closely monitoring its spending, restricting certain budget areas in the current year, and developing a process for substantial community input into next year’s budget development.

Dr. Tebbano encouraged parents and taxpayers to follow the district budget process through its Web site and by attending the series of community budget forums scheduled to begin in January.

 

 

 

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