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District officials present 2010-11 preliminary budget proposal
Under the governor's proposed state budget, which was recently approved by the Senate, Voorheesville would see a cut of more than $681,000 in anticipated state aid next year. This loss in revenue, combined with a $530,600 increase in contractual salaries and retirement costs, creates a total budget shortfall for next year of more than $1.3 million. To get the budget to the proposed level, Business Administrator Sarita Winchell outlined more than $690,000 in reductions-- reductions that will not impact programs, she said. "There is no program being delivered in 2009-10 that will not be delivered in 2010-11." To do this, Winchell explained how district administrators looked at enrollment in classes and made adjustments to staffing where there were too few students. One of the bigger changes for next year is in the area of Academic Intervention Services (AIS). Winchell said administrators looked at the current delivery model and restructured AIS for next year. The new model calls for extending the school day for students who need interventions so they can get the personal attention they need through after-school tutorials. Because AIS will no longer be taught during the normal school day, the district is able to trim some part-time positions. Winchell also added that the $690,000 in reductions includes more than $170,000 in debt service savings in 2010-11 as a result of refinancing a 2001 bond issue last October. Superintendent Dr. Teresa Thayer Snyder has said at every turn in this process that the goal is to craft a budget that can gain the support of the community and allows the district to meets its mission in difficult times. Without a voter-supported budget this year, the district would have to trim another $180,000 beyond those already proposed under current contingency budget law. The board is expected to adopt the 2010-11 proposed budget on Monday, April 12. The adopted budget will go before voters on Tuesday, May 18. |
