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Merging might be the answer
Change, either good or bad, is typically not well received.
However sometimes it is inevitable.
Whether communities like it or not, it seems likely there
will have to be changes and sacrifices made when it comes
to educating children. It was not too long ago schools across
the state were hoping there would not be mid-year state aid
cuts. School districts were spared from these cuts, but lawmakers
cautioned that schools should prepare for less state
funding next year. Almost $400 million in federal stimulus
funds that were supposed to go to schools next year are being
used this year to reduce the state deficit.
On top of that, school districts across the state face a potential
funding gap of at least $2 billion when the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding runs out in
2011-12. According to an analysis released by State Comptroller
Thomas DiNapoli, property taxpayers could face on
average a 7.7 percent tax increase in 2011-12 to make up the
loss in ARRA funds, assuming school budgets and state aid
remain constant.
Both are very unlikely. Governor David Paterson was sued
last month by educational advocates for his decision to withhold
10 percent of the state aidáfrom state school districts.
It’s clear the state is hurting and it does not look like it will
have a miraculous recovery any time soon.
DiNapoli is urging school districts to start to tackle the
problem now because he says filling the hole left by the end
of stimulus funding won’t be easy.
We agree. School officials will have a very daunting task
when planning the 2010-11 budget and an even harder task
the following year. It is time to start thinking outside the box
and perhaps going without some of the things students and
staff have come accustomed to, but really could do without.
Yes, we all want the best for the children, but sacrifices
such as having bigger class sizes and not offering as many
programs may be necessary. It’s time for school districts to
decide what is truly needed verses what they want or would
like. It’s time to prepare for the worst.
Will schools be forced to merge? Perhaps.
Cooperstown Central School Board of Education President
Anthony Scalici said during the district’s first public budget
forum that he does not foresee local rural schools opting
to merge unless the state forces them to. Schools may get
squeezed more and more until they have no other choice, he
said.
Scalici said he believes collaboration is needed in order
for schools to stay at the quality level that they are currently.
Schools do some collaborating now, but we agree with
Scalici, more needs to be done to cut expenses. It may mean
doing things differently, meaning change, which may take
some getting used to.
We commend BOCES Superintendent Nicholas Savin for
heading things in the right direction by holding a meeting
on Dec. 1 to discuss the common issues confronting the
component districts and to facilitate discussions among districts
about how best to cooperate to maintain educational
opportunities and services in extremely difficult financial
conditions.
This is a step in the right direction.
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- Littering a major problem The annual observation of Earth Day is April 22, and the Earth Festival that has been held in Milford for the past five years is this Saturday.
- Mayor, board deserve praise Hats off to the mayor and village board for their work on formulating a budget for the coming year that calls for a reasonable tax rate increase while maintaining services and planning for capital improvements.
- It’s time to be creative For the last few weeks, we’ve devoted a lot of space in the paper to the dire news coming out of Cooperstown Central School regarding their projected budget for next year. With state aid decreasing, teachers and programs may be eliminated next year to make up the shortfall.
- Time to work together The election is over and we offer our congratulations to Joe Booan, Alton Dunn III, Lynne Mebust and Leslie Friedman for their victories.
- Katz is our choice for mayor Next Tuesday’s annual village election has a full slate of candidates for mayor, trustee and justice. Our choice for mayor is Jeff Katz, the senior member of the village board and the current Deputy Mayor.
- We’re in this together This year’s village election offers an interesting look at a pervasive aspect of small town politics _ newcomers versus native sons or daughters.
- Jump is annual highlight Our hats go off to all jumpers who took the plunge into freezing-cold water during the 15th annual Goodyear Lake Polar Bear Jump held on Saturday.
- Classic changes should enhance fans’ experience After last year’s inaugural Hall of Fame Classic, we wrote an editorial outlining some changes that we felt would make the game more appealing to baseball fans. Coincidentally or not, we’re pleased to see museum officials have addressed most of those concerns for the second Classic, which is scheduled for Father’s Day, June 20.
- Every little bit helps The village’s attempt to capitalize on some of its unique baseball heritage is a step in the right direction. The plan to take advantage of the village’s iconic Doubleday Field by licensing the commercial use of images of the field and marketing a newly developed logo creates a welcome new revenue stream.
- Village should speak up Two weeks ago, Congressman Michael Arcuri said what should be obvious to everyone _ our water supply is our most valuable resource.
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