Wednesday, November 26, 2008

THE INCREASE IN THE STATE'S SCHOOL AID IS CUT

The Lockport Union Sun and Journal has a piece about Governor Paterson's "cuts" to school aid...

School districts received a warning from Gov. David Paterson after he withdrew his proposal to cut $836 million of the expected growth in state aid to schools during the current school year. Be prepared for some major cuts in the 2009-10 school year.

“Fiscal management is all about making hard, painful decisions, and the rejection of a mid-year school aid reduction by the Legislature means that deeper declines in funding for school districts will now be necessary in 2009-10 to ensure a balanced budget,” Paterson said.

The governor’s proposal would have decreased the growth in education spending from 9 percent to 5 percent over last year and allowed most school districts to receive an increase from last year. Overall, school aid still would have increased by $1 billion from the previous year, instead of the previously expected $1.8 billion. Paterson sent a letter to superintendents and school board presidents throughout the state Tuesday. The letter was sent to notify the districts that because mid-year reductions were not enacted, Paterson was withdrawing the proposal, and deeper reductions in education spending will be required in next year’s state budget. Paterson was giving advance notice so school districts could plan accordingly as they prepare to work on their budgets for the next school year.


How does this affect Roy-Hart? The article goes on to say....


Royalton-Hartland was facing a mid-year cut of $499,000, about 5 percent of its school aid from the state. Superintendent Paul Bona said the district was pleased no mid-year cut was coming, but now faced another challenge, later. However, Paterson’s letter gives districts time to work on their budgets.

“It’s allowing districts seven months to prepare,” Bona said.


To read the article in its entirety, go here:

http://www.lockportjournal.com/local/local_story_331013022.html