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District News
Governor's proposal would cut Fonda-Fultonville aid by more than
$400,000
Citing a decline in state revenues, Governor Paterson announced
on Oct. 15 a plan to cut promised aid to school districts. If
enacted, his proposal would reduce Fonda-Fultonville's 2009-10
state aid by $424,605.
"The governor’s actions, while understandable given the New York
State budget, would devastate our program," said District
Superintendent Dr. James Hoffman.
"The governor threatened similar cuts last year, but eliminated
those cuts when the federal government passed the economic
stimulus legislation.
Although the state legislature could refuse to act on the
governor's proposal, the state's growing fiscal shortfall could
leave legislators with no choice but to go along with the plan.
Making the situation more difficult is the fact that the
reduction is not in future aid, but in aid already promised and
included in this year's budget. The board of education and the
taxpayers approved the 2009-10 budget based on these state's aid
figures.
Last year’s state aid did not keep pace with the rising cost of
education. The board of education responded by eliminating one
part-time and eight fulltime positions and cut back on
extracurricular activities.
“The governor’s cuts are especially difficult because we made
deep cuts to our program last year. There is no fat left,” said
Dr. Hoffman. “I am not certain where we could cut without
causing serious harm to the award-winning program we are
building at Fonda-Fultonville.”
Immediate steps needed
"We recognize that things could change, but the district must
react immediately to the possibility of losing almost $425,000
in revenue," said Dr. Hoffman. "We are responding as if the cuts
will take place—recognizing that the earlier we start, the more
money we may be able to save. As a first step, we have frozen
all noncritical spending."
Noncritical spending includes any supplies, services, and
activities not directly impacting normal classroom teaching or
student safety. This would include things such as teacher
seminars, student field trips, and library books.
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