Superintendent's Notes - Bethlehem CSD, Delmar, NY

As we prepare for the holiday season in front of us, the looming budget crisis of the State of New York echoes throughout our planning, thinking and budgeting. Even as I write this update to you, the wheels of state budget aid have decreased their momentum, slowing down the cash flow of promised aid to our school district by 20%.

On Sunday, December 10, the Governor ordered a 10% delay of state aid payments to schools and local governments, and a 19% delay in STAR payments. There is even concern that this delay may become a permanent reduction if the powers-that-be get their way. Not to worry, though, our fund balance reserves will be used to pay the bills.

Wherever I go nowadays, it seems that everyone asks me the same question: "Are we going to have a freeze?" My reply: "Freeze what?"

In case people have forgotten what occurred last year, we reduced our programs to the tune of $2.5 million. There is very little in our programs that can be frozen any further. Some of the steps we are taking now include monitoring our expenditures more closely; saying no to requests for spending on everything from new snow plows to pencils; no new hires of any kind, unless there is an emergency need; and making do with less.

This year we have even encouraged our faculty to go paperless. Many have accepted the challenge. By reducing our paper consumption we save funds.

So, the big questions most of you may have focus on the next school year: Are we cutting personnel? Are we cutting programs, courses, services? Are we increasing class size? Are we closing buildings? Will the Ed. Center be taken over by McDonalds? The answers to all of these fears is that everything is speculation right now. Specific plans and decisions have not yet been made, and I must emphasize this clearly.

The Board of Education is beginning to consider the financial details from the state and the school administrators are working together to create scenarios, tiers, priorities, and answers to the most important question we can consider at this time: WHAT MATTERS MOST?

The Community Budget Forums are scheduled for Jan. 12, Jan. 26 and Feb. 9 at the middle school from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., where the conversations will be focused on this question.

So until then, may you have a peaceful and memorable holiday season. Thank you for your continued support of this school district.

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