By Abi Wood

On March 22 the Board of Education held a community chat in the HS Cafeteria. The attendance of this meeting was astounding and there were overflow seats in the hallway. The Board presented the “Core” Budget and the “Core Plus” Budget. They discussed that they will try to pass a budget which will cause more than a 2% increase on taxes. Because of the new tax cap which is in effect for the first time this year, 60% of the voters need to approve the budget. However the Board provided statistics proving that our school district has one of the lowest tax rates in the area, other than Saratoga. They also looked at past budget votes. The last time the budget was defeated was in the early 90s. However if the 60% was needed over the past 11 years, only 4 would have passed.

Mrs. LaBelle said that it is a “good year to look at a salary freeze” and that she would be looking at trying to initiate a school-wide pay freeze. This pay freeze would save the district $180,000 due to the step salary program currently in place under teacher contract. Mr. Berry, the current Director of Assessment, Technolgy and Student Affairs, has accepted a superintendent position at another school district starting July 1. His position, however, will not be refilled, but rather eliminated and a new position considered the Associate Jr. /Sr. High School Principal will be filled instead. This position will include duties such as discipline and athletic director.

Many people in the audience spoke over the course of the evening including students, teachers, and community members. Junior Ashley Fredericks discussed her current placement in accelerated programs which she began in seventh grade. She said that if we have a core schedule next year she will only be taking 2 ½ classes which leaves her unable to compete in college, “I can’t do that as a high school senior.” Her plan to become a teacher, a dream of hers since she was 3 years old, isn’t a solid plan anymore and she doesn’t know if it’s a viable option. She also said, “I think it’s your job, for us to have a place to learn.” Ashley’s statements were met with applause twice.

Kelly Phillips, another junior in the high school, read the school’s mission statement and expressed her belief that the Board isn’t standing by their own mission statement.

Community member and Galway substitute teacher, Mrs. Muth said, “what we need to do is support these kids. We are not going to prepare them for college [under the proposed budgets].”

Suggestions were made by the public to try to make the building profitable. It was suggested that non-school organizations could pay to use our facilities and that maybe the school could accept tuition for out-of-district students.

One community member said “[Increasing] class size is the fastest way to decrease your student’s education.”

Mrs. Zawisa said “I’m very scared for my freshman, for my 5^th grader, for my granddaughter – who’s family moved to Galway because it was the best around.”

The community members who attended the evening’s chat generally seemed to support a higher than 2% tax increase, one later stated that he would be happy with a 20% increase. One problem the Board faces is spreading the information that the community needs in order for the best budget for the school to pass.

What are your concerns about the budget and the proposed cuts? Read over the proposed Core and Core Plus budgets below.

2012-13 BUDGET SCENARIOS

March 21, 2012

2011-12

Budget

Contingent Budget

Property Tax Cap

“Core Budget”

Above Property Tax Cap

“Core Plus Budget”

$17,241,857

 Tax Levy Increase

4.6%

$17,074,546

Tax Levy Increase

0%

$17,363,572 – Budget Increase of

$121,715

Maximum allowable tax levy  3.29%

Estimated tax rate increase of $1.24 per 1,000

(Based on 2011-12 tax rates.)

$17,739,573 – Budget Increase of

$497,716

Above allowable tax levy 4.29%

For a total of 7.58%

Estimated tax rate increase of $2.84 per 1,000

(Based on 2011-12 tax rates)

Further Reductions of $289,026

Positions Lost:  10.74 teachers

6.0   teacher aides

(7.74 positions lost, 3.0 due to attrition)

Positions Lost: 7.61 teachers

6.0 teacher aides

(A total of 3.13 restored)

Number Includes:

• Purchase three buses
• Increase fund balance to $500,000

Program Reductions:

• All athletics
• All co-curricular activities

Elementary School                 

• 1.0 Art Teacher
• 1.0 Music Teacher
• 1.0 Special Education
• .5 Reading Support
• .5 Elementary Enrichment Teacher

Jr./Sr. High School Program Reductions

• Chemistry
• Physics
• Pre-Calculus
• Statistics
• Calculus
• Poetry
• Horror and Fantasy
• Creative Writing
• AP Literature
• Honors English 10,11
• PLTW (Design & Drawing; Principles of Engineering; Digital Electronics)
• Special topics in Health
• Spanish 7, IV, V
• Music Theory
• Music 6
• AP Biology
• Special topics in Science
• Empire State Science
• Street Law
• Psychology
• History of the 60’s
• Current Events
• History of WWII
• History of the Adirondacks

Number Includes:

• Purchase three buses
• Increase fund balance to $500,000

Program Restorations:

• Varsity athletic program
• Co-curricular – (TBD)

Elementary School Positions:               

• .50 Music Teacher

Jr./Sr. High School Classes

• Chemistry
• Physics
• Pre-Calculus
• Statistics
• 2 English Electives (TBD)
• PLTW Classes
• Social Studies Electives (TBD)
• .5 Elementary Enrichment Teacher

What do you think? Leave a comment below…