On Tuesday, May 18, Whitney Point Central School District residents will vote on the proposed 2010-2011 school budget. Economic struggles continue to plague the state and nation which have made the budget development process particularly challenging.  Last year the governor announced a freeze in the Foundation Aid formula. This formula was originally created to provide equity in educational funding enabling districts of differing wealth to provide equitable educational opportunities to students. Due to the freeze, Whitney Point lost approximately $2 million dollars of anticipated aid revenue. 

In addition to the freeze in Foundation aid, each school district was then assessed a "Deficit Reduction Assessment" (DRA) to further help the state close its budget gap. The DRA potentially would have reduced aid received by Whitney Point another $733,000. Districts across the state were poised to make drastic cuts to programs and staff to make up for this further reduction in state aid. The federal government then enacted the "American Reinvestment and Recovery Act" (ARRA). Federal ARRA money was allocated to fund each district's DRA, still leaving us with a $2 million reduction in anticipated aid.

In 2010-11 districts were originally scheduled to receive ARRA funds equal to the 2009-10 amount. As this school year began there were renewed announcements from Albany of an ever-increasing budget deficit. December state aid payments to schools were delayed. Those payments were eventually made, but the governor used a portion of each district's 2010-11 ARRA allocation. This decision results in the district receiving less ARRA money in 2010-11 and is being referred to as the "Supplemental Deficit Reduction Assessment" (SDRA). 

The governor's proposed 2010-11 budget continues to address the state's economic condition and budget deficit by assessing each school district a "Gap Elimination Assessment" (GEA). Whitney Point's GEA is $1,421,052. Factoring in the use of remaining federal ARRA funding and changes in other aid categories, the total reduction in state aid received by the district for the 2010-11 school year will be $887,754. 

A significant reduction in state aid is challenging when developing a budget that provides well balanced educational programs and meets the needs of the district's students. The Board of Education and the District have been invested in gathering community input regarding the budget. The Board of Education held two additional meetings for the purpose of public review and discussion of the proposed budget. The Financial Planning Committee hosted a Community Forum and solicited information through a survey. Additionally, priorities identified through the District's strategic plans and goals were considered by the leadership team to assure that the budget supported programs to continually increase student achievement.

The 2010-11 proposed school budget takes into account all of the information gathered from the community and incorporates cost savings with the reduction of four teaching positions and one teacher aide position. Savings were also realized through a reduction in BOCES spending and by continuing to find efficiencies in other areas. 

While developing a budget that reflects the economic realities of today, the 2010-11 proposed school budget supports academic priorities identified by the community.  These include being able to provide accelerated, AP and college credit bearing courses, reasonable class sizes, up to date instructional technology, support for struggling and at-risk learners, and athletic and extra-curricular opportunities. The budget also reflects the district's commitment to assuring the community's investment in school facilities is responsibly maintained. 

The roots of a great community lie in the strength of the educational system that molds today's children into tomorrow's leaders. As Board and community members, we share in a partnership to fulfill the mission of our school district: "to provide an excellent education ensuring that all children maximize their potential, become contributing citizens, and pursue lifelong learning."

Please show your support by voting on the proposed 2010-11 school budget on May 18^th.

Sincerely,

Board of Education and Superintendent  Mary Hibbard