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It was budget cut deja vu at Tuesday night's Board of Education Meeting. Interim Superintendent Michael Nast presented a list of possible budget cuts that were reminscient of many of the items on the chopping block last year, including the grade three strings program, assistant principals at some schools, and the Academically Talented in middle school and Artistically Talented programs.
"The staff and I have gone throught the budget line by line," said Nast, who said he is in touch with incoming superintendent Susan Marks about the budget process. "At this point nothing is in cement but we have to start talking about the cuts and making decisions."
The BOE has been asked by the Board of Estimation and Taxation to cut $5 million from its $155 million budget for next year. So far, Nast has been able to bring the budget down by $3.5 million and gave the board some details about these reductions. Middle school principals have proposed cutting the Academically Talented program for gifted children. (The middle schools were asked to choose their own cuts. The high schools will share their cuts at the next board meeting.) In addition, Nast is asking the athletic directors of the high schools to reduce their budgets by $20,000 each. The Structure of Intellect test taken by second grade students as a screening tool for AT will also be eliminated.
Nast said that the in-school suspension law, which would require additional staff to monitor students serving suspensions in school, may be implemented next year and would cause some additional expense. The final decision about the implementation date of this law will be known in early May. Nast also explained that Pupil Personnel Services was increasing by 13 percent because it has been "historically under budgeted."
On Tuesday, Nast presented a series of potential cuts that could make up the remaining $1.6 million shortfall. Highlights of the cut list include: two assistant principals in the elementary schools, one assistant principal in a middle school, three Columbus elementary aides (combine grades four and five), five literacy coaches, artistically talented, third grade strings, half-day kindergarten and one security guard at Ponus Middle School.
"I feel like I'm reliving last year," said BOE member Jody Bishop-Pullan. "Every one of these cuts will affect the kids and teachers."
Jack Chiaramonte was unhappy about the possibility of these cuts and spoke directly to the president of the teachers' union, Bruce Mellion, demanding givebacks, saying, "You are the second highest paid teachers in the state. This is an insult to the taxpayers. Do what's right."
Nast said he expects the Board to digest this information over the next two weeks and come back with questions and recommendations. He will also seek feedback from principals and school staff on the proposals. In addition, he will be at the upcoming PTO Council meeting to discuss potential cuts with parents.
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