Concerned teachers, parents and administrators packed the meeting room at the Pearl River School District's administration building Tuesday to hear about the 2013-14 budget, including potential cuts in programs and personnel.
The district administration asked the five building principles and the directors of athletics, special services and facilities to present options for cuts within their buildings or departments as part of a presentation at the board of education meeting.
Pearl River Director of Operations Quinton Van Wynen is projecting a $1.7 million shortfall in the district budget for 2013-14, with even larger deficits for 2014-15 ($2.4 million) and 2015-16 ($2.6 million). He said that by making the cuts now, things should be easier in the two years that follow, but there are unknown variables such as state financial aid and increases in health care and insurance costs.
"Budgeting has changed dramatically in New York State," Van Wynen said. "We no longer look at programs and say what can we add. Now it's how much money do we have and what can we do with it?
"I've got a three-year plan here and I'm not sure that is enough. Things aren't getting better. There are more pressures coming from Washington and Albany that we have to deal with."
Van Wynen and Pearl River Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Morgano both pointed out that Pearl River is in better shape than many other districts, in part because it has fund balance to fall back on. Van Wynen's three-year plan calls for the spending of approximately $1.5 million in reserves over that time period.
"We happen to be a district that has lived cautiously over the last number of years," Van Wynen said. "We put money aside. We have reserves.
"As Dr. Morgano said. we may have problems and we may be swimming hard to stay ahead of the tide, but many districts in this state are drowning already."
The potential cuts presented Tuesday night represented 16.8 full-time employees (some were part-time positions) and approximately $1.3 million.
"If you are the person losing your job, it's awful," Morgano said. "I lost my job when I worked in New York City and the city went broke. It was no consolation to me that other people had their jobs."
Morgano said that each principal and director was given a dollar amount and asked to find cuts to reach that number.
"The principals, this was a struggle for them," Morgano said. "They agonized over this because this is the heart of their program. They had to look at what was not mandated. Not mandated does not mean not important. Just because something isn't required by law doesn't mean it isn't good for kids. We simply can't magically do away with a $1.7 million problem."
Van Wynen said there are still variables in place for the 2013-14 budget, such as the specifics of state aid and the potential impact of the retirement incentive the district announced last week.
Among the cuts suggested Tuesday:
Elementary Schools (Principals Peggy Lynch of Evans Park, Maureen Alaimo of Franklin Ave. and Kathleenann Cool of Lincoln Ave.)
- Delay band and orchestra until fifth grade (middle school), cutting a 0.6 FTE (full-time employee). Students will continue to be introduced to instruments in general music classes.
- Eliminate PREP enrichment program and 1.5 FTE that goes with it. Students will participate in JET programs as part of homeroom.
- Eliminate librarians in the elementary schools, cutting 1.5 FTE. The library clerks will remain so the libraries can remain open during the school day.
Pearl River Middle School (Principal Maria Paese)
- Modify current IEP practices to eliminate five teaching assistant positions. Plan includes establishing a testing center with two full-time teaching assistants to allow for test modification compliance.
- Eliminate Challenge/Learning Center
- Eliminate part-time audio-visual operator, whose responsibilities will be taken over by library staff
- Eliminate machine operator, with teachers and office staff taking over those responsibilities.
Pearl River High School (Principal William Furdon)
- Restructure math labs and class sizes to save on one full-time employee
- Eliminate Microsoft Suite course, which would lead to reduction of one social studies teacher.
- Eliminate Grade 8 Studio Art/Tech Design courses
- Move Careers course to eighth grade, with students in grades 9-12 taking alternate electives.
- Reduce sections of World Language, increasing the class sizes.
Special Services (Director Carolyn Moffa)
- Eliminate Consortium Class
- Reduce .5 school psychologists, spreading work among those who remain.
- Reduce .5 in speech therapists, which would eliminate non-mandated services including assistance to St. Margaret School.
Athletics (Director Todd Santabarbara)
- Eliminate freshman baseball, boys basketball and winter dance teams, which would likely reduce number of ninth graders participating in athletics.
- Eliminate single-game stipends including football cameraman, adult supervision for junior varsity and modified events, scorekeepers for away games.
- Reduce number of officials at track meets, which could make them longer.
- Eliminate morning fitness center and open gym at the high school.
- Reduce spending for tournament entry fees.
Facilities (Director Bob Nelan)
- Upgrade machinery with one-time $50,000 cost and keep more maintenance work internal, saving approximately $30,000 per year.
- Decrease overtime by 10%, which may include not opening district buildings on Sundays.
Funny, i don't see any administrators being cut.
This year Orangetown followed the lead of Clarkstown in handing out a 13% increase over five years to police who are already making high six figure salaries. Had our elected representatives taken a different approach with the police they could have perhaps offered some financial help to the schools. I would not object to the cops being paid less and the schools being given more. I will note that Supervisor Stewart was the only one to vote against giving the police any more money. Further, Broadacres remains open and is bleeding cash! Again Supervisor Stewart has voted to close Broadacres. Troy and Diviny did not! Why are tax dollars funding a golf course and not the education of our children? I ask these questions not of Supervisor Stewart but of Councilmen Troy, Diviny, Valentine and Morr. Something has gone wrong here with political priorities. Of course, Orangetown could pretend it is Clarkstown and just bond everything. The Clarkstown supervisor simply bonds everything so a future generation can pay for his debt after he has gone off to some comfortable retirement. Clarkstown's debt is now over 100 million dollars and rising but no one there seems to care while expensive stone walls are being put up along their roads and fancy walkways around Congers Lake (bonded, of course, to the tune of 5 million bucks to finish it).
First, what I think you want to say is "Hey Siobhan who died and made you QUEEN?" Second, as to "who the HELL do you think you are ----" I am a senior citizen who plays golf at Broadacres and I have put children through the schools with my taxes. I also rely on the police services. The facts remain, the police are overcompensated, and those who wish to play golf should do so at their OWN expense and not at the expense of the taxpayers. That includes me! I would put the needs of children and the needs of "special-needs" children ahead of a golf course given that 1/2 a mile away from Broadacres there is a 27 hole course. I will repeat what I said - there is a critical tax base - property taxes - which to a large extent pays for the county, town, and school taxes. The county is using part of the property taxes to pay for a police mounted patrol, the town is using part to give excessive raises to highly compensated police while the educational system of the town and the USA is falling apart and behind. The priorities of the politicians need a reality check too. If you wish to conduct a rational discussion then do not disgrace yourself with statements such as "Who died and made you king" and while you are at it your points can be made without the use of the word "hell".
I also agree that the administrative salaries are off the charts, but I do disagree with the opinion regarding special education in Pearl River. I too had a child who required and IEP, and also had many other friends in other school districts. Our district is VERY gererous in providing services to our special needs children. Other districts stick to the States Requirements and guidelines and simply just say no. Special Education is driven by State Laws, and a child who does not qualify by the States guidelines is not eligible to receive special education services. It is then the school building and the PARENTS responsibility to help educate thle child. I am afraid that with so many families needing to have both parents work, that the mindset of many parents seem to expect the school district to pick up some of the slack that parents did, such as helping with studying, homework, and providing tutors if our child needed one. A child who is borderline and struggling is not necessarily eligible to recieve special education services. Again, the reqirements are governed by New York State Education Laws.