Bump in Proposed School Aid Likely Not Enough to Cover New Mandates

While a preliminary budget from Gov. Andrew Cuomo - announced in mid-January -  in the coming budget year, that bump in funding may not even be enough to cover increases in coverage the district would be required to provide based on changes in state law, according to numbers released by Superintendent Nancy Carney.

On Tuesday night, Carney laid out spending projections in a fourth and final presentation on 2012-2013 expenditures, discussing the impact district-wide cuts are going to have on pupil and personnel services, continuing education, special education, and extracurriculars.

The superintendent said that "a lot of costs previously borne by the state and county are being borne by the district" in the coming school year. While those exact numbers remain in flux as legislators in Albany have yet to adopt a budget of their own, Carney estimates that changes in special education law and loss in aid could add up to roughly $680,000.

The difference in additional aid and more "unfunded mandates," as required services not funded by state dollars are commonly referred to, would be $50,000.

In January, School Board President Ann Cotten-DeGrasse said she expected the bump in projected aid to come at a cost. 

With more mandates coming down - DeGrasse mentioned required teacher evaluations at the time - she said the increase in aid may look deceptive. 

"In my way of thinking, it's almost like a slight of hand," she said. "It's like the governor is putting money in one pocket and taking money out of another."

While extracurriculars are expected to take a minimal hit in the coming school year - "We tried very hard to keep opportunities for the kids available," Carney said - adult continuing education is being cut completely, as is an after school enrichment program at the elementary level.

Carney said HB Ward Technical and Academic Center will continue to offer classes for adults.

Doreen Moore, a board member with the Riley Avenue Parents' Association, asked if Parent-Teachers' Associations could foot the bill if they would like to see the enrichment programs continue. Carney said the district would be open-minded to booster support.

In cutting the enrichment program - which Moore said meets twice a week, and has been cut back to just one season (after previously being offered in spring and fall) - the district is expected to save $60,000 between offering the program in five buildings, Carney said. Budget numbers show that continuing education in the 2010-2011 school year - the most recent numbers immediately available - was granted roughly $55,000.