May 20, 2012
5 Chelsea Place, Clifton Park, NY 12065 • 518-881-0600
• Tuesday, May 3 – Budget hearing (required by law).
• Tuesday, May 17 – Annual school budget vote (polls open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Gowana gym)
Posted 6/16/11
Budget Exit Poll Results. Click here
Posted 4/25/11
Posted 4/12/11
At its meeting on April 12, Shenendehowa's Board of Education adopted a budget that maintains the integrity of its commitment to excellence through cost containment despite a decrease in state aid and an increase in mandated costs. The proposed budget is $150,307,073,which is $72,925 below the state contingent budget limit. It is estimated that the overall tax rate will increase 3.51% for district residents. For a property with a market value of $250,000, the increase is approximately $145 more. [MORE]
The final adoption of the budget last night included the reinstatement of 10 positions. Reducing the number of positions eliminated from 80 to 70. The 10 reinstated positions include:
• Two counseling positions
• Eight CSEA positions primarily focusing on elementary aides and library typists.
Posted 4/5/11
Budget presentation to the Board of Education on 4/5 included the various options of what to do with the partial state aid restoration. Click here to view a pdf of the Powerpoint presentation.
Posted 3/30/11
Budget presentation to the Board of Education on 3/29 included the process/steps staff reductions based on contractual stipulations and applicable laws and regulations. Click here to view a pdf of the Powerpoint presentation.
Posted 3/23/11
The NYS PTA has made contacting your legislators easy using CapWiz. Using the tool is a two step process the first time but once signed up it's virtually automatic and allows a person to either use the standard PTA letter or compose one of their own. Click here to access it. http://capwiz.com/npta2/ny/mlm/signup
Posted 3/23/11
Click here to view (pdf), The proposed budget would increase spending 1.49 percent. This is below the amount allowed under a contingent budget. The budget proposal includes 36.5 personnel reductions in instruction, 6 in administration and 45.5 in support staff . The breakdowns is as follows:
Elementary 11.50
Secondary (6-12) 6.00
Unified Arts 9.00
Special Education 3.00
Instructional Support 7.00
Facilities & Operations 3.50
Transportation 1.00
Clerical - Typists 18.00
Aides 23.00
Administration consolidated and abolished 4 positions during this
school year and did not fill 2.0 other positions.
Posted 3/16/11
Posted 3/9/11
Coming on the heels of two very difficult budget years, Shenendehowa is facing a $6.16 million (14.78 percent )year-to-year reduction in state aid for 2011-12 and bracing for a possible tax cap in 2012-13. Click here (pdf) to view a position paper that is being presented to legislators about the impact of the cuts and what state leaders can do to help in terms of mandate relief and other initiatives.
Posted 3/9/11
The resolution states that the Shenendehowa Board of Education seeks the voluntary freeze of all contractual salary and/or step increases for all impacted parties, yielding a cost reduction of approximately $2.8 million dollars to help close a daunting budget gap effective for the 2011-2012 school year. Click here to view the entire Resolution.
Posted 3/7/11
Education law requires that a candidate provide
a petition signed by at least 119 qualified
voters (2% of the number of residents who voted
in the last district election). Candidates may
pick up petitions at the district clerk's office
at 5 Chelsea Place.
Petitions must be received by the district clerk
no later than 4 p.m. on April 19, 2011. To
qualify, candidates must be a U.S. citizen, a
resident of the district for at least one year
prior to the election, and at least 18 years
old.
The two candidates with the highest number of
votes will serve a three-year term commencing
July 1, 2011.
Presentation on the 2011-12 Budget Expenditure Analysis to the Board of Education at the 3/1/11 meeting.
Posted 3/2/11
In public schools, we teach
students to be responsible, fair, just, and honest in their
deliberations and actions. Similarly, as leaders for learning and
legislators, we must model what we teach and not be disingenuous
in our rhetoric in order to placate to public sentiment. So, with
all due respect to Governor Cuomo, it is disheartening and
disparaging that he makes schools the scapegoat for the
unprecedented fiscal problems of this state.
The governor should be the champion for all people, all
institutions, all public servants across this state. If he wants
to make New York the envy of the country, tearing down our schools
and using special interest campaign funding to create a bully
pulpit is unproductive.
Specifically, the governor's letter on his website claims New York
ranks #1 in the nation in spending and #34 in student achievement.
According to the latest analysis conducted by Education Week,
while the nation earns a “C” for its educational policy and
performance, New York maintains a “B,” second only to Maryland
among the 50 states. The point is, you can pick and choose
statistics. The ethical dilemma is how to use data in a fair and
balanced assessment of the situation.
The governor says he sought an average of 2.9% reduction in
overall school aid. It is important to note that in 2009-10 aid
was frozen, and in 2010-11 Governor Paterson cut aid by $1.4
billion. Governor Cuomo’s proposed $1.5 billion cut is a continued
reversal of the 2006 Court of Appeals ruling in favor of the
Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit which claimed New York State’s
school funding system denies students their constitutional right
to a basic education.
The governor stated schools can absorb reductions without laying
off teachers, cutting programs or harming students. He mentioned
freezing wages of school employees and increasing their health
care contributions. These are part of legally binding contracts
enforceable by laws such as NYS Triborough Amendment.
The governor mentioned cutting the wages of administrators. I,
among many of my colleagues, have agreed to voluntary pay freezes
for the past two years.
Finally, he mentioned that schools have $1.5 billion in reserves
that could offset the cuts. The state allows schools to carry 4%
of their budget in reserves which helps stabilize the tax levy
impact, pay for tax claims, defray increases in state-mandated
employee retirement system costs, and cover the unanticipated and
emergency expenses. Will the governor exhaust the state's "rainy
day" fund? Doing so risks creating a structural financial deficit.
The focus needs to be on one simple reality: State Aid Reductions
+ Property Tax Cap = Significant Reductions in Educational
Services.
While a tax cap is viewed as a potential benefit for taxpayers;
the public must know that continuous reductions in the state's
support for public schools coupled with a tax cap will ultimately
erode the quality of public education.
Reductions in education will contribute to achievement gaps
between black and white, poor and rich, and urban and suburban
students. It will also lead to hundreds of layoffs.
Actions taken by California and Massachusetts provide perspective.
California implemented a cap while imposing enormous cuts in state
aid resulting in a ravaged educational system. Massachusetts
enacted a tax cap, but the state took on a greater responsibility
in the funding of education and implemented sensible reforms.
This is a call for our political leaders and the public to reflect
upon the realities of the current proposals and political
rhetoric. Schools will have to significantly reduce programs to
off-set the state aid reductions. If fund balances are used up
with no ability to replenish the following year, schools will be
faced with major structural financial deficits for years to come.
We need smart, strategic fiscal reform, and not a game of
political grenades.
Dr. L. Oliver Robinson
Posted 2/4/11
It is clear that the
budget problem is real and that Shenendehowa will be looking
to make some critical decisions, with a focus on preserving
quality programs and services for all students. For that
reason, the district has been diligently engaged in a
disciplined approach aimed at reducing costs without
adversely impacting opportunities for students to be
successful. This will require a heightened commitment by
district staff to operate more effectively and efficiently.
Equally, it calls for a firm commitment from our community
to become engaged and involved in the budget discussions.
The best way to be involved is to become informed.
As you see in the media and read in the newspapers, there is
a lot being said by political leaders about school budgets.
As a school district and as a community, we must be
objective in our analysis of the facts.
Over the course of the next several weeks the board of
education will have a series of meetings to develop the
proposed school budget for 2011-12. In these difficult times
it is essential that the public gain a greater understanding
of what the budget means for this community in the coming
years.
Tuesday, February 8 - The 2010-11 mid-year financial update
will be presented. This helps to provide the foundation for
next year’s budget. Preliminary budget projections for
2011-12 will also be presented in relationship to the
governor’s proposal for state aid. Please note that this a
study session, no public comment.
Tuesday, February 15 – The first draft of some sections of
the 2011-12 budget will be presented and discussed with the
board. Please note that this a study session, no public
comment.
Tuesday, March 1 – The first draft of the proposed
expenditures for the 2011-12 budget will be presented along
with a bus purchase resolution. Study session, no public
comment.
Tuesday, March 8 – Continued discussions about the proposed
expenditures for the 2011-12 budget. Business meeting with
public comment.
Tuesday, March 15 – Draft of estimated revenues for the
2011-12 budget will be presented. A draft of the complete
budget (revenues and expenses) will be presented, including
any areas of personnel reductions. Study session, no public
comment.
Saturday, March 19 -
Community Conversation with Dr. L. Oliver Robinson at High School
West at 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, March 22 – Final budget proposal and bus
proposition presented. Study session with public comment.
Tuesday, March 29 – Board adopts formal notice of
propositions for annual budget vote without dollar amounts
(required by law). Study session, no public comment.
Tuesday, April 5 – Update on state budget and school aid.
Tuesday, April 12 – Budget adopted by the Board of
Education. Business meeting with public comment.
Tuesday, May 3 – Budget hearing (required by law).
Tuesday, May 17 – Annual school budget vote (polls open 7
a.m. to 9 p.m. in Gowana gym)
Posted 2/2/11
It is clear that the budget problem is real
and that the district will be looking to make some critical
decisions, with a focus on preserving quality programs and
services for all students. However, this is easier said than done.
This financial challenge comes at a time of unprecedented
proposals to raise standards including passing scores for Regents
examinations and grades 3-8 tests.
For that reason, the district has been diligently engaged in a
disciplined approach to reducing costs without adversely impacting
opportunities for students to be successful. Shen has a
long-standing reputation for high performance in academics,
athletics and the arts. Sustaining that level will require a
heightened commitment by district staff to operate more
effectively and efficiently, employing creative and innovative
methods and approaches. Equally, it calls for a firm commitment
and support by the community. Yes, there
is a keen awareness of taxpayer fatigue. There is also a keen
awareness that this community wants and appreciates quality
schools. The quality of the schools and the community cannot be
divorced.
The key questions become how much more or less are people willing
to pay, what are they willing to sacrifice and to what degree or
detriment should it impact the children.
If the district were to move the current budget forward there
would be an $8.2 million increase in spending. THIS IS NOT BEING
PROPOSED. In times when people all around this area are tightening
their belts, so must we.
What are the major contributing factors to the spending increase?
The district’s contribution for the teacher and employee
retirement systems is projected to increase by $2.9 million; drug,
dental and health premiums by $3 million; and contractual salaries
by $1.9 million.
Revenue shortfall
It is also important to note that the governor and legislators are
all talking about instituting a tax cap for school budgets. A 2%
tax cap would only allow the district to increase spending by $2
million, leaving a $6.2 million gap. That doesn’t even cover the
increase cost of pension payments.
In the past, the district benefited from a growing tax base. This
helped to offset increasing costs or decreasing state aid. That is
no longer the case. Looking at a trend analysis of property
valuations for the past three years, the growth of taxable
assessed value has decreased from 5.67% to 1.17%.
Furthermore, the governor’s budget proposes a Gap Elimination
Adjustment (GEA) that amounts to $8.1 million reduction in state
aid for Shenendehowa.
What is being done?
To reduce spending the district is:
• assertively pursuing negotiated concessions with employee
bargaining groups;
• hoping to mitigate staff reductions through retirements;
• evaluating efficient use of classified staff, assignment of
instructional staff, and responsibilities of administrative
personnel;
• restructuring provision of health and drug benefits, advantages
of self-funding drug plans;
• continuing to focus on the preserving core programs while
looking at the feasibility or viability of non-mandated programs;
and
• looking for cost savings through the redesign of schedules at
the middle and high schools and course/program consolidations.
“It is important that we don’t lose sight of the fact that Shen
made $4 million dollars in reductions from the roll over budget
for 2010-11 and $4.4 million was cut from the 2009-10 roll over
budget,” says Superintendent Dr. L. Oliver Robinson. In fact, in
two years, budget spending has only increased by 1.12%.
Over the next two months, the district administration will be
reviewing the budget and presenting information to the board of
education at public meetings scheduled on Tuesday nights at 7 p.m.
in the Gowana Library.
:Localities should be allowed the opportunity
to present a budget to voters, that is sound and responsible, not
one that is arbitrarily fixed. The imposition of a tax cap is not
only detrimental to the sustainability and viability of education
across the state; it is a denial of a fundamental democratic
right, the ability to vote.
The quality of Shenendehowa students and the community at large
should not be held hostage by legislative actions or in-actions.
This community must look to control its destiny of high
performance. We are indeed at the precipice of our prosperity-
this community must decide what it wants and not have it be
compelled by the actions of the governor or legislature.
