by Contributor | May 26, 2010 7:01 am
A disappointed Fulton Board of Education proposed a new 2010-11 budget that cuts a lean budget a little more deeply.
Voters shot down a $60.8 million budget earlier this month by just 7 votes.
Tuesday night, the board reviewed some fresh cuts made to the budget in hopes of winning enough votes to secure passage in June.
None of the cuts involve laying off another staff member or ending an academic or extracurricular program. Instead, the district proposed cutting $132,000 in various expenses such as paper and supplies, equipment, professional development, services supplied by BOCES, and contractual costs.
The new budget would require a 1.79% increase in the tax levy.
Voting will take place June 15. People who are not registered to vote but who want to register can do so in the office of the Superintendent of Schools through June 14 during normal business hours.
“We do have a lean budget,” said Superintendent of Schools Bill Lynch. “We went in and took money. Is that going to have an impact? Of course it is. We have maintained services for our students, along with extracurricular activities and athletics.”
“It’s frustrating to me to say, jeez, we didn’t have 7 or 8 more people come out,” said board member Dan Pawlewicz.
Even more frustrating is the prospect of a second no vote, which forces the district to impose a contingent budget. The district would have to cut another $152,000. More than that, the law covering contingent budgets would prevent the district from buying equipment except for equipment essential for student health and safety. And every community group that uses a school facility will have to pay the entire cost of using those buildings — utilities, supervision and custodial costs. That would affect everything from Neighborhood Watch meetings to community swim programs.
It would have “a significant impact on the culture of this community,” said Lynch.
“I cannot emphasize enough my frustration,” said Pawlewicz. “Don’t assume your vote doesn’t count.”
“I think the budget is very responsible,” said board member Brian Hotaling. “Now we’re nickle and diming. The contingent budget would be a disaster.”
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