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BEDFORD, N.Y. Superintendent Jere Hochman and the board of education have come up with an enumerated list of alternate sources of revenue that the Bedford Central School District may be able to take advantage of next year, thereby supporting next year's budget, which will suffer harsh cuts.
This idea of alternate sources of revenue is taking on a whole new life this year, Hochman said.
Taking a break from budget talks at a board meeting Wednesday night, Hochman presented a list of several sources from which more revenue can come next school year.
He said that after meeting with the presidents of the district's Parent Teacher Association and Parent Teacher Organizations, he knows that it is likely that the district will be depending on the fundraising of these associations even more in the future. This raises the question of parity and equity in distribution of funds, he said, and assured that there will be discussions about making sure each school gets what they need and the money is handed out in a fair and reasonable way.
Another source of funds is the Community Education Foundation, a nonprofit that raises money for enrichment programs, teacher grants and other initiatives that support the Bedford School District. The group recently held an art auction that Hochman said realized a good amount of funds.
Hochman mentioned the booster club's recent bowling night fundraiser that raised money for new dugouts in the baseball field.
The booster club continue(s) to do a good job for us in areas where we know we wouldnt be spending money on right now, Hochman said.
Hochman also noted that there are more grants to be pursued and alumni donations to be solicited, and the district will be doing this more aggressively. He said the school has also researched the underwriting of television and putting advertisements on the outfield fences of the baseball diamond.
The revised budget will be presented to the board on April 11, which must approve it by April 18. Residents of the school district will vote on the board-approved budget on May 15.
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