Cooperstown School District faces the fuel crunch like many
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By KRISTEN COPELAND
Story Created:
May 20, 2008 at 4:04 PM EDT
Story Updated:
May 20, 2008 at 5:34 PM EDT
COOPERSTOWN - In Otsego County, fuel prices are playing a big role in the Cooperstown Central School District's budget proposal.
"Fuel increases were significant for us this year," said Mary Jo McPhail, Superintendent of Coopserstown Central Schools. "We're still concerned we haven't budgeted sufficiently for those."
The Cooperstown Central School District is dealing with the same fuel crunch the rest of us are, and this year's budget proposal is a reflection of that.
"We know we will be making very judicious decisions about the travel for athletic teams next year, field trips...so some difficult decisions will be facing us," McPhail said.
Taking a look at the numbers, the 2008-2009 budget has jumped nearly 3% over previous years. It totals $16.2 million. Doing the math, that means a tax levy increase of 4.2% for Cooperstown residents.
"We're dealing with the same frustrations they are and trying to balance and maintain program because we know it's valued by our community," McPhail said.
There will be a few program cuts if this budget is passed, but there will also be growth in special education.
"We're going to be opening up in conjunction with the Kelberman Center - a class for primary age level autism students," McPhail said.
Overall, school officials are confident the budget will pass when the clock strikes eight.
"Typically, historically...when it's been quiet out there leading up to the budget vote, that is a good predictor of a successful budget vote," McPhail said. "So I'm hoping that's the case this year."
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