2011-12 budget message from Mr. Burton -  positions cut

     As our Board of Education prepares the budget proposal for the 2011-12 school year, it is important to note that approximately 75% of our funding in any given year is derived from New York state. Because the governor's proposed budget is indicating a reduction in the aid to Fort Plain Central School in the amount of $861,477, the school board  has been forced to make some difficult decisions in order to arrive at a feasible budget proposition for our school community. To that end, I wish to make everyone aware that the Board has begun to look very seriously at reductions in staff.

     At the regular board meeting held March 1, the board voted to abolish the following positions: One administrator, two elementary school classroom teachers, the elementary librarian, one high school social studies teacher, one high school science teacher, one music teacher shared between buildings, one physical education teacher, three teaching assistants, and the micro computer specialist. In addition, one special education teacher who is retiring at the end of the school year will not be replaced. Also, the board issued warning letters to nine other staff members whose positions may be abolished at the April 12 meeting.

     Obviously, these eliminations will have a significant impact on our educational programs. The board is fully aware of the dilemma we are facing in trying to balance cost saving measurers with the potential effects on our students' futures.

      Please feel free to attend all Board of Education meetings and voice your concerns. We will also be available at Tuesday morning coffee hours ( about 8:45 a.m.) to discuss budgetary matters and other concerns. Most of all, please contact our local state legislators, State Senator Hugh Farley and Assemblyman George Amadore. It is their responsibility to represent our school district and to assist in securing the best possible education for our children. This responsibility includes voting "no" on the governor's state aid proposal. FUNDING INEQUITIES POWER POINT

       In addition to the drop in state aid, like all districts around the state, Fort Plain is facing increasing costs for health insurance and contributions to the state pension system.
        In all, Cuomo proposed a proposed a $1.5 billion, or 7.3 percent reduction in total state education expenditures to cope with New York’s own serious fiscal problems. That reduction is in actual, year-to-year dollars – not through a slower-than-planned rate of increase.

        The Governor’s budget proposal contained a series of other elements that would impact school districts across the state, from limiting reimbursements for special education summer school to the prospect of some relief from mandated expenses that drive up costs. Federal stimulus funding for education, which helped offset some of the aid shortfalls of the previous two years, is no longer available.

 Highlights of the governor's proposed education budget

EXCERPTS FROM DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT pdf

Budget Objectives

In developing the budget, the Board of Education and administration will:
--- Work to spread reductions across the entire district with everyone expected to share the pain.

--- Reassure residents and staff that, even in extreme financial times, Fort Plain can still deliver a high quality education if we all agree to make sacrifices and work together to do just that.

--- Engage the community to develop solutions for areas where the district may reduce services.

--- Urge state legislators to respond to our budgetary concerns with action.

--- Work to continue and expand cooperative agreements with neighboring school districts for the sharing of services and programs.

--- Continue to apply for available grants to maintain and enhance programs

--- Solicit donations from outside sources RELATED STORY

--- Continue to maintain a spending freeze for non-essential purchases and activities.

What are the realities of school budgeting?

     REALITY #1 is that much of a school budget is “untouchable.” For example, a school district cannot cut courses that are required for graduation, eliminate services that are mandated by the state and federal governments or reduce benefits that have been negotiated as part of an employee contract. There are also some parts of the budget that are fully state aidable, such as textbooks and library books. Reducing those lines would only result in a cut in revenues and would save little or nothing for local taxpayers.

       REALITY #2 is that most of the money spent in education is on “people costs.” Every program the district offers, every service it provides, and every task it carries out on behalf of students requires people to do the actual work. That means if school districts are to cut their costs by a substantial amount, they can not avoid cutting people – which not only hurts those whose positions have been eliminated but also adds to the country’s unemployment problems.

       REALITY #3 is that some cuts look good on paper but don’t work out in practice. For example, the elimination of one teaching position can in some cases do more than just raise class sizes. In a district as small as Fort Plain, it can actually make it impossible to schedule every student into their required courses.

Budget Information

Letter to Governor Cuomo about school aid
School aid press release
Fact sheet about cuts to area school budgets

Basic budget questions and answers pdf

Fact check on NY education pdf

Long range financial planning report pdf
Budget objectives

Find more budget information in the 2011-12 budget brochure