2010-2011 School District Budget
Preliminary Spending Plan for 2010-11
Budget includes close to $1 million in cuts
POSTED: March 5, 2010
The
preliminary 2010-11 budget presented to the Board of
Education March 4 is far more optimistic than what’s being
forecasted by most New York school districts.
While the district is preparing to make close to $1 million in
cuts, unlike many other school communities, Port Jervis won’t
need to make drastic staff or program cutbacks to cover the
projected loss of state aid revenues.
The $59,464,574 budget presented by Assistant Superintendent for
Business Lorelei Case includes the elimination of three current
elementary teaching positions through attrition, the reduction
of summer school and BOCES services, and cutbacks to athletic,
student, and technology supplies. The proposed cuts, combined
with over $500,000 in cost saving initiatives, represent a
decrease in spending of 2.42 percent or $1.4 million over the
current year.
The proposal also calls for a transfer of $750,000 from the
district’s fund balance to further reduce the tax impact. Based
on current tax assumptions, this would result in an estimated
tax levy increase of 2.95 percent. View Case's
detailed
analysis of how the annual application of reserve fund money
effects district's finances.
Case said the preliminary budget was developed based on Governor
David Paterson’s proposal to cut educational funding by $1
billion statewide. Districts across the state are now faced with
the difficult choice of either raising taxes or cutting programs
to ease the financial shortfall. Some communities are facing
massive layoffs. Others are considering cutting student programs
or closing a school.
“Our goal is to reduce spending as much as possible without
desecrating our educational programs,” said Superintendent John
Xanthis, who notes that careful attention was made to ensure
that the cuts would not have a negative impact on student
programs and services.
In addition to the operating budget, Case also presented the
Board of Education with a proposal to apply $200,000 from the
district fund balance to purchase a modular unit to house the
district special education and registration/attendance offices.
The modular would replace the old unit that will be removed from
the front of Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School at the end of the
school year.
The modular would help to resolve ongoing space and security
issues at Port Jervis Middle School where the offices are
currently housed. Moving the offices would free up valuable
space that could be used for instruction. Housing the district
registration office in a separate building, away from students,
would also alleviate the potential security risk created by
giving the public open access to the Middle School. “Space is a
premium at the Middle School,” said Xanthis, who notes that some
classes must now be held in the cafeteria and library.
Residents are invited to contact the district with their budget
questions by calling 858-3180 or visiting the administration
office at 9 Thompson Street. You can also send questions to the
district’s special budget email address:
portbudget@pjschools.org.
•
School Board members lobby legislators for aid
•
Preliminary 2010-11 Budget
(PDF - Presented 3/4/10)
•
Presentation on Fund Balance Planning
(PDF)
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