The evening included presentations by Superintendent of Schools Craig J. Tice, Business Administrator Anthony Sonnacchio and Board of Education members John Fuller and Ryan Riefler. Board members Julie Brissette and Jeffrey Crysler also attended.
Mr. Fuller reflected on the bumpy financial road the district has had to traverse in recent years – a period marked by staffing cuts, a new property tax cap law and rising pension costs. Even in the face of a foundering national economy and shrinking state aid, the district managed to maintain its programs and stay one of the state’s most cost-efficient districts.
But not without paying a price. The district has had to eliminate 45 positions since 2008-09.
“Individuals who once wore one hat all of a sudden had three,” Mr. Fuller said.
Mr. Fuller also explained how difficult it is for schools districts like Marcellus to draft a five-year spending plan when expenses can be so unpredictable. For instance, the district’s contribution to employee pensions went up 40 percent or $500,000 this year.
“We did not anticipate such a large expenditure – half a million dollars,” Mr. Fuller said. “And that’s going to Albany. It’s not helping our kids in any way.”
Next, Mr. Riefler reviewed the Board’s priorities for the 2013-14 school year.
“We have to distinguish between needs and wants,” Mr. Riefler said.
In light of the spate of recent school shootings, the Board wants to explore the possibility of adding a third school resource officer to the district and making other security improvements, he said.
As for academics, the Board is focused on making improvements in the areas of assessment and student growth, special education, Common Core teaching standards, Academic Intervention Services and Response to Intervention programs, and maintaining current offerings in electives, art, music, drama and athletics.
Board priorities also include maintenance of buildings and vehicles, technology infrastructure upgrades, staff development and energy conservation.
“We can’t forget to maintain our plant and infrastructure here, even though it’s tight financially,” Mr. Riefler said.
The superintendent reviewed the district’s past achievements, current initiatives and future challenges.
Among the many feathers in Marcellus’ cap is the prestigious Middle State Accreditation awarded to all three schools in 2007; the district’s 11 consecutive site visitations by the School Alliance for Continuous Improvement; and fiscally prudent practices that led to low per-pupil spending (the second-lowest in all of OCM BOCES).
Current initiatives include the district’s use of the national Common Core Standards; the publication of teacher research in the annual Project S.H.A.R.E. Action Research Monograph; and conservation efforts under way throughout the buildings.
Looking ahead, Dr. Tice said the district will have to brace for fiscal challenges, including a continued decline in state aid and the need to maintain transparency in both its instructional program and facilities maintenance.
In his presentation on the budget, Mr. Sonnacchio offered an updated figure for the district’s projected budget gap – $1,089,721 – and described the shortfall as “nothing to panic about.”
“A lot will happen between now and April,” Mr. Sonnacchio said.
To close the gap with only taxes, the district would have to increase the tax levy by 6.46 percent. But many other factors could reduce the gap, he said, including increased state aid, additional use of district reserves, contract negotiations with employee unions and other expense reductions.
During a question-answer session following the presentations, one resident asked for data about the effect of full-time kindergarten on children’s development. Another asked for details on what would be included in a possible technology referendum (wireless service, additional security cameras, etc.). Another asked if the district could use some of its $3.68 million in fund balance to eliminate the budget gap.
“We could,” Mr. Sonnacchio replied, “but we would be broke in three years.”
For more budget news, be sure to check out the 2013-14 Budget page on the district website for budget news and updates.
No comments:
Post a Comment