Initial Thoughts on Haldane's 2011-12 Budget

It has been called the perfect storm: the combination of state and federal aid funding cuts, flat real estate valuations, rising contracted health care, salary and retirement costs as well as unfunded mandates with no relief in sight for the foreseeable future. Haldane Superintendent Mark Villanti cautioned the Board of Education at the 1/25/11 Budget Kickoff Workshop that it must plan its spending not just for next year, but for the next few years, and anticipate, when possible, the challenges and burdens the District will likely face. 


According to Dr. Villanti, there will be cuts in the 2011-12 budget, and at this point in time he roughly estimates cuts of about $170K. He adds that the District should anticipate cuts for the next few years as well. 


In years past the school community has heard threats about program cuts in the event of a Contingency Budget. (For a discussion about Contingency Budgets from the 2009-10 Budget discussion, click here.) We have heard about half-day Kindergarten, no sports or after-school activities, larger class sizes and fewer teacher aides. What is reasonable and what is legal and possible will possibly drive budget discussions this year, as contract costs and unfunded mandates leave almost no wiggle room. The question is not if but where cuts will occur. 


The responsibility of deciding how to fund Haldane in 2011-12 falls to the Board of Education, and then to voters on May 17, 2011. Voters can have an impact on this budget drafting process before that day by attending Board meetings, voicing opinions and examining the draft budget. 


So what would you cut? And what are the "sacred cows" of Haldane's budget that should not be touched? Is there anything that should absolutely be added to the budget that is not there already? Share your thoughts with the Board and with Dr. Villanti at the next meeting on February 18, 2011, 7 pm in the Music Room, or send a note to Dr. Villanti.


ALSO SEE:
The Budget Kickoff presentation provides an overview of the many fiscal challenges the district faces as the Board develops the spending plan for public vote. The last two pages of this presentation contain "bottom line" language. If you read nothing else from this presentation, please look at pages 19 and 20.


See this Unfunded Mandates presentation by New York State School Boards Association for an eye-opening cost analysis of the budget impacts of unfunded mandates. These are costs that the district must fund to be in compliance with state and federal laws.