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School Board holds off on approving budget
By Jamie Larson
HUDSON — The Hudson City School District Board of Education met Tuesday night to discuss the cuts and tax levy that will be in the district’s forthcoming budget. Some members of the board had hoped the budget could have been voted on Tuesday, but after a lengthy question-and-answer period with Business Manager Daniel P. Barrett, the board decided to hold the vote until Monday so a few more issues could be thoroughly flushed out.
The budget, in its current form, includes a 3.9 percent tax levy and $810,000 in cuts. Some members of the board would like to see a smaller tax increase, but with the substantial loss of a foundation aid increase from the state this year, and the reality that none of the new federal aid can go to this general operations area of the budget — which pays teacher salaries — they have found themselves making hard choices. Barrett and Superintendent Jack Howe said while they and the group of administrators who composed the budget aren’t happy with any cuts, the two feel they have kept the cuts as far from the students and programs as they could.
Howe said they listened to the input of board members and the community throughout the process, and feel that all concerns were evaluated seriously. “I think people are very much aware of the economic situation,” Howe said Wednesday, “so people knew the budget would be unlike any other. It’s a reflection of the times.”
Much of the savings in the new budget come from staffing cutbacks. While current Middle School Principal Ryan Groat will not be brought back next year when the schools are consolidated, the rest of the personnel savings are due to retirement. A physical education teacher and a central office staff member will be retiring and those positions will not be rebudgeted in 2009. Also, five senior teachers are retiring, and filling those positions with new teachers at a starting salary will save the district nearly a quarter of a million dollars.
The board agreed that there is a need for a human resources position for the district but with money as tight as it is, Howe said they are just going to have to continue spreading those duties out around other office workers.
There was also a computer technician staff position in last year’s budget that was never filled and will not be included this year. The proposed budget also found $140,000 worth of cuts in supplies and other costs. “We’ve really gone line by line to cut as much as we can,” Barrett told the board.
Board member Peter Meyer, who said he would vote against the budget in its current form when polled, had the longest list of questions Monday night, and said he felt administrators should try and get the tax increase below three percent. One of his major sticking points was the large amount of funding for special education, but because that funding is separate from the foundation aid it can not be used for other areas.
Meyer also wanted the Budget Committee to continue to ask the teachers union to consider lowering the percentage of its contractual yearly raises, from an average of 5 percent to around 3 percent. This would save the district from tens of thousands to around $1 million, depending on how large a cut it would be willing to take.
Howe said he has had constant contact with members of the teachers union throughout the budget process and will consult with them before they make their final revisions to the budget, but that expecting a change in that time is slim. “I think, not unlike other sectors,” Howe said, “when it comes to the question of unions freezing or overturning salaries, it’s clear it is very unlikely.”
There were many smaller line items, like $3,000 for the school newsletter for example, that came up for discussion at the meeting, which Howe says they will take a look at getting rid of before the vote Monday, to make the budget even smaller.
The board will vote at the special meeting 6 p.m. Monday, barring any new issues. A vote is likely because the board is obligated to make a decision by April 20.
The budget, in its current form, includes a 3.9 percent tax levy and $810,000 in cuts. Some members of the board would like to see a smaller tax increase, but with the substantial loss of a foundation aid increase from the state this year, and the reality that none of the new federal aid can go to this general operations area of the budget — which pays teacher salaries — they have found themselves making hard choices. Barrett and Superintendent Jack Howe said while they and the group of administrators who composed the budget aren’t happy with any cuts, the two feel they have kept the cuts as far from the students and programs as they could.
Howe said they listened to the input of board members and the community throughout the process, and feel that all concerns were evaluated seriously. “I think people are very much aware of the economic situation,” Howe said Wednesday, “so people knew the budget would be unlike any other. It’s a reflection of the times.”
Much of the savings in the new budget come from staffing cutbacks. While current Middle School Principal Ryan Groat will not be brought back next year when the schools are consolidated, the rest of the personnel savings are due to retirement. A physical education teacher and a central office staff member will be retiring and those positions will not be rebudgeted in 2009. Also, five senior teachers are retiring, and filling those positions with new teachers at a starting salary will save the district nearly a quarter of a million dollars.
The board agreed that there is a need for a human resources position for the district but with money as tight as it is, Howe said they are just going to have to continue spreading those duties out around other office workers.
There was also a computer technician staff position in last year’s budget that was never filled and will not be included this year. The proposed budget also found $140,000 worth of cuts in supplies and other costs. “We’ve really gone line by line to cut as much as we can,” Barrett told the board.
Board member Peter Meyer, who said he would vote against the budget in its current form when polled, had the longest list of questions Monday night, and said he felt administrators should try and get the tax increase below three percent. One of his major sticking points was the large amount of funding for special education, but because that funding is separate from the foundation aid it can not be used for other areas.
Meyer also wanted the Budget Committee to continue to ask the teachers union to consider lowering the percentage of its contractual yearly raises, from an average of 5 percent to around 3 percent. This would save the district from tens of thousands to around $1 million, depending on how large a cut it would be willing to take.
Howe said he has had constant contact with members of the teachers union throughout the budget process and will consult with them before they make their final revisions to the budget, but that expecting a change in that time is slim. “I think, not unlike other sectors,” Howe said, “when it comes to the question of unions freezing or overturning salaries, it’s clear it is very unlikely.”
There were many smaller line items, like $3,000 for the school newsletter for example, that came up for discussion at the meeting, which Howe says they will take a look at getting rid of before the vote Monday, to make the budget even smaller.
The board will vote at the special meeting 6 p.m. Monday, barring any new issues. A vote is likely because the board is obligated to make a decision by April 20.
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