PINE BUSH – Ending weeks of suspense, Governor David Paterson finally released a budget for the state this week. For school districts the news was mixed, but overall the outlook was much better than what was first proposed back in December.

"Our state aid is flat," said Phil Steinberg, Superintendant of Schools in Pine Bush. "But we have gotten money back and we will be able to restore some positions. At this point we're still working out the details on what aid we're getting and what we won't be getting."

However, for taxpayers in the Pine Bush School District, the news is pretty good. "Our tax levy increase this year will be 2.94 percent," said Steinberg. "That's the lowest increase in 20 years."

Weeks ago, Steinberg and his staff proposed a pair of budgets: one with the full weight of the cuts originally proposed, for total revenues of $98,045,917, and a second one that took into account Federal Stimulus money, for $100,920,490.

"We're going to go with our second budget," said Steinberg.

That budget's revenue projections included $51,740,014 in State Aid, and a Tax Warrant of $45,868, 265. Adding in $1,312, 211 from interest, BOCES rents and tuition fees, plus $2 million from the Appropriated Fund Balance rounds out the total.

What this means for teachers and parents in the district is far fewer cuts in staffing. Four elementary teachers, nine special education teachers, six high school teachers, and perhaps five other teachers will be spared the axe.

"I have to point out that with the retirements we have now, which are approaching 20 teachers," said Steinberg, "the position regarding layoffs if much better."

"I think the teachers looked at the situation and some of them took our incentive offer for early retirement knowing they would also help the district. This will be a big cost saving for the district over the next few years."

Of course, it isn't all good news. "There will still be some layoffs," said Steinberg, "because our student numbers are declining. But it's not going to be as bad as we first feared."

The budget, as presented at board of education meetings and workshops around the district, envisaged using Federal Stimulus money to retain nine special education teachers and eight teaching assistants. Of course, the Federal Stimulus package is only going to last for a couple of years, so down the road these issues are going to be revisited, but the district will have time to come up with a plan to deal with them.

Beyond the matter of teaching positions, the budget will also retain some librarians that would have been cut, plus at least seven monitors. It will also provide the money for technology equipment and training, some athletic uniforms, more equipment for the weight room, and two half-time custodial workers.

COMMENTS about this article (0)