Chiseling Away At Budgets: Where Should Districts Cut? (Poll)
As administrators present their 2012-13 district budgets, school boards will have to decide which discretionary elements of their budgets will take a hit.
It's hard to argue that the Rivertowns are defined by their schools.
People move here because of the fantastic reputations of the Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington and Ardsley school districts; however as fixed expenses in school budgets rise—employee benefit and pension costs and additional reports to the State just to name a couple—while property value assessments plummet, school boards need to make tough decisions to cut some of the discretionary costs to keep residents' taxes within reason.
Hastings and Dobbs Ferry's superintendents have yet to present their 2012-13 budget proposals. Irvington's interim superintendent Robert Roelle did last night, proposing that world language be cut from the fifth and sixth-grade curricula among other reductions.
"The administration does not believe that the elimination of this program will significantly diminish the core instructional program for students at the elementary level," Roelle wrote in his presentation to the board.
When faced with the painful task of chiseling away at your school district's budget, in which areas would you look to make cuts first? Vote in our poll and further explain your answers in the comments section.
Tom Gray
8:24 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Hello,
Since the poll only allows you to check off one box, I will note here budget revaluations should be considered in the areas of Administration and Class Size.
As for a comment, is there any member of the Irvington School Board who could report to the residents of the Irvington School District, exactly how much we are paying for
the position of Superintendent for the July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012, academic year? By this I mean, the salary and all benefits related to the current acting superintendent; the payments and all related benefits being given to the immediate past superintendent; the cost and related benefits for all pensions, health care benefits and any other benefits being giving to all those who once served the Irvington community as superintendent and members of their families who are also covered under various agreements.
If a member of the School Board could provide such a number, honestly I would be surprised,but nonetheless delighted.
As you might sense, I question if anyone associated with the management of financial
resources for the Irvington School District, board members and paid staff alike, has much of an idea as to the "down-the-road" financial consequences of there decisions. Proving me wrong would be wonderful.
Thank you.
Lizzie Hedrick
8:40 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Tom, you can file a freedom of information request for that information. It is public info.