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Education
Commenting on Governor David Patterson’s delay in state aid payments to school districts because of a cash-flow crisis, Lancaster Central District School Superintendent Edward Myszka informed attendees at Monday evening’s Board of Education (BOE) on the district’s current position.
Superintendent Myska asked Allen Getter, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Support Services, to comment on what impact the delay in school aid would have on the district. Getter declared that for December alone, a ten (10) percent cut in aid would translate to a shortage of $232,000 and that number would become significantly larger because three quarters of the state aid comes in the second part of the fiscal year.
In light of that information, Superintendent Myszka declared that the district would cut this year’s budget from that of last year’s by 20% on conferences, 10% on equipment, contractual expenses 10% and materials and supplies by 10%. “In my opinion this will not hamper programs but will give us a slight buffer from approximately $307,000 to weather the storm.”
BOE member Ken Graber asked whether the funds in question were permanent or merely a delay in receiving state aid funds. Superintendent Myska declared that it was his understanding that it was just a delay in receiving the funding and that Governor Patterson did not have the authority to make the cuts permanent, otherwise the matter would be taken before the courts. He later added that he believed that state aid would be cut in next year’s budget.
Superintendent Myszka cautioned the board to remember that last year the district had a $3.8 million shortfall in state aid funding. “Had it not been for the federal stimulus money, not only Lancaster but school districts throughout New York State would have been a lot different (in operation). If you had been here at a prior board meeting, you would have seen a presentation I made that would have showed you, unfortunately, how administrators, support staff and instructional staff would have been impacted.* It’s not a threat, it’s a reality. We all hope the economy turns around and that Wall Street does well again.”
BOE member Joseph Maciejewski voiced that he looked at the delay in receiving state aid funding as a cut as it impacts the interest return on the money. Maciejewski added that it was his understanding that a lawsuit would be instated by the New York State Teachers Union should Patterson make the aid cuts permanent.
School Board president Marie MacKay closed the discussion by stressing the importance of everyone working together to ensure that no programs are cut now or in the future. “The board supports the district and the teachers and hopefully we can continue to maintain what we have.”
Superintendent Myska interjected: “With that being said, I would like to ask the board president to convene a special executive work session to go over the contract negotiations in progress with the Lancaster Teachers Association. The BOE agreed to meet on December 21st. The BOE and LTA have yet to settle contract negotiations.
*In summary, the following cuts would have had to be considered for the 2009-10 year according to the presentation made by Superintendent Myszka on September 14,2009 had not the federal stimulus money become available:
• Things – Materials, supplies, programs, development programs, buildings/grounds/, enrichment programs, service industry, etc.
• 47.1 Teachers
• 4 Administrators
• 16.75 Support Staff
Other
The Buffalo News reported today that Governor David Paterson has framed the cuts as a delay in state aid payments necessitated by a cash-flow crisis in Albany. But he left open the possibility that the money will not be reimbursed and that future payments also could be withheld.
The governor's move also stoked fears that schools, which were already anticipating severe fiscal woes over the next few years, could be facing even more difficulty than initially expected. That could prompt widespread layoffs and program cuts.
That left local school officials wondering whether Paterson's move is a onetime jolt that can be covered by reserve funds or borrowing, or the start of a fiscal slide that could harm classroom instruction.
Several groups were considering collaborating on court action, claiming Paterson lacks the authority to unilaterally withhold school aid. "We are looking at the possibility of a lawsuit," said David Albert, director of communications for the New York State School Boards Association. "If this were clearly a delayed payment, there might be a different approach."
Lastly, there was a sign sitting at the BOE table that read ‘Lancaster Supports Teachers’. It would have been appropriate to have a second sign posted that reads ‘Taxpayers Deserve Consideration’. Lancaster teachers deserve a fair contract. Lancaster taxpayers deserve fair treatment.
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