How state education would be affected by Paterson's budget proposal
Story Created:
Dec 16, 2008 at 5:03 PM EST
Story Updated:
Dec 16, 2008 at 5:17 PM EST
HERKIMER, N.Y. (WKTV) - A total cut of $698 million has been proposed which equals a 3.3% decrease from this years budget. So, how will these cuts affect area school districts if they go through?
There are 12 districts that make up the Herkimer BOCES School District. The superintendent of that school said on Tuesday, on average each Herkimer County District relies on about 72% State aid.
Sandra Simpson is the superintendent of Herkimer BOCES. She says in Herkimer County, the poorest district is Ilion, who relies on 90 % state aid. Conversely, Poland is the district who relies on the least amount of state aid, at about 54 %.
Simpson says school districts rely on two forms of funding: tax payers and state aide. She says as far as a district's budget goes, 70 % is personnel. So if state aid is cut, jobs will be in jeopardy but so too will be programs.
"The governor today talked about going back to a core mission. in many cases our districts are already at their core mission. so i think it's easy to say that it will be increase class sizes and fewer if any electives. looking back at what were absolutely mandated to have to deliver in services for kids," says Simpson.
Simpson says there are two good things about Tuesday's budget proposal: no mid year cuts, and no cuts to capital project funding.
Simpson did say that she and the heads of the 12 districts that make up Herkimer BOCES have been talking about how they will make cuts for a few months now, when there was a first threat that severe cuts may have to be made.
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