School Board to thank PTA and HSF for grant awards

At approximately 7:30 pm at tonight’s meeting, the Haldane School Board will officially thank the Haldane PTA and School Foundation for the support both groups have given this year to Haldane’s programs. To see the draft agenda, click here.

2010–11 Budget Work Begins

The Board of Education begins work on the 2010–11 spending plan at tonight’s meeting. See the draft agenda for tonight’s meeting, and the budget calendar will follow soon is now available. 


NEW! See the Budget Kickoff Presentation.

NYS PTA Joins Education Partners in Stand Against Governor's Action to Delay School Aid Payments

From the New York State PTA:

As anticipated, Governor David Paterson has directed the Division of the Budget to delay December state aid payments to school districts (and municipalities) throughout the state by withholding certification of payments. While this action is intended to prevent the state from running out of cash, it further shifts the state's fiscal problems onto already cash-strapped school districts.

In reaction, a broad coalition of education advocates and citizen taxpayers, seeking to protect school programs from elimination, stop employee layoffs and prevent dramatic property tax increases, filed suit against Governor Paterson, saying he acted illegally and unconstitutionally by withholding state funds allocated by the state Legislature for school districts. 

Click here for press release.

The Heating Debate Continues…

District Boilers in Need of Repair or Replacement by Facilities Director Wayne Robinson.

December 15 State Aid Payment Cut by 10%

New York State made the sudden decision to cut aid to school districts, leaving school boards with the challenge of trying to manage budgets, which were voted on and funded months ago, with unanticipated mid-year cuts. At the 12/15/09 Board of Education meeting Superintendent Villanti reminded the audience that the Board tried to anticipate these state aid shortfalls, and their prudent planning will mean that Haldane will not suffer. However, the future of state aid remains uncertain, and larger cuts are anticipated expected in 2010. New York State’s fiscal crisis will likely prompt the Board to take this into account as they craft the spending plan for 2010–11. 


See the press release from NYS Comptroller diNapoli, which contains details about cuts, including notice that STAR and other payments will be reduced by 19%. 


Here is the aid reduction breakdown: