March 28 budget presentation

District officials present latest budget calling for $417,272 decrease from current budget, 2.43% tax levy

(March 30, 2011)  At a special budget meeting on March 28, Superintendent Dr. Teresa Thayer Snyder and Assistant Superintendent for Business Sarita Winchell presented an updated budget for next year that factors in staffing changes and adjusted estimates, including lower health insurance costs, since the March 7 budget presentation. The latest budget proposal of $21,240,122 is a decrease of $417,272, or -1.93%,  from the current budget. This budget would carry a projected tax levy increase of 2.43% percent.

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 middle school which will move from five class sections in each grade to four. Next year's budget also includes the addition of an advisory period for 6th grade to enhance academic instruction. Among the curriculum that will be infused into this academic class will be specific projects in the core subjects, developing skills in computer tools, opportunity for library instruction and character education. Winchell noted that teacher teams per grade are completely preserved in this latest budget. Average class sizes at the middle school are expected to increase to 23-24 students.

"The students at Voorheesville Central School District will have available to them the same academic program--at all grade levels--in 2011-12 as they do this year," said Ms. Winchell. "Staffing changes for the 2011-12 school year are due to the enrollment numbers of students, and the reassignment and realignment of staff schedules to adjust for those enrollment numbers."

Winchell outlined the following staffing changes for next year:

Middle School

• two full-time reduction to 0.6 FTE (math & science)

• one full-time reduction to 0.8 FTE (social studies)

• one part-time 0.4 FTE reduction (Foreign Language)

High School

• one 0.6 FTE reduction to 0.4 FTE (Foreign Language)

• one part-time 0.5 FTE reduction (music)

• one part-time 0.7 FTE increase to 1.0 FTE (Physical Education/Health)

Elementary

• Continues 2010-11 staffing next year

Voorheesville's athletic program will see changes next year as freshmen basketball and junior varsity golf are slated for elimination. All other sports funded in 2010-11 are included in the 2011-12 budget proposal.

Ms. Winchell will present the final budget for the board's consideration on April 11. The adopted budget will go before voters on Tuesday, May 17.

To view the March 28 budget materials, or any previous materials, please visit the Budget webpage.