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Frankfort-Schuyler School Budget calls for cuts - 10 positions, a tax increase and more

By CAROLINE GABLE

Story Created: May 17, 2011 at 5:34 PM EDT

Story Updated: May 17, 2011 at 6:35 PM EDT

FRANKFORT, N.Y. (WKTV) - The Frankfort-Schuyler School Board has had a lot on their plate this budget season, and that includes already making the tough decision to close West Frankfort Elementary School.

The estimated property tax increase in the proposed school budget in the Frankfort-Schuyler School District is almost 9%, and while that sounds steep, officials say it could have been much higher, in the double digits, in fact, had the board not chosen to close the neighborhood elementary school.

This year's school board has worked with the $17,569,141 budget, cutting ten positions that affect 12 district employees. There are also proposed program cuts with modifications to athletics and extra curricular activities.

With a state aid reduction of $1.3 million this year, school officials say this budget has been tough and next year's doesn't look any easier.

If voters don't pass this budget, the board of education has the option to pass a contingency budget, cutting another $54,000 out of the budget.

Superintendent Robert Reina says he believes the board has done all they can do to present voters with an even handed proposal.

"The situation is one where we had a significant, devastating cut in revenue and we had to deal with that in order to try and maintain programs and services for kids at a quality level," Reina said. "Those are the circumstances that we have tried to balance. We believe we have done that with this budget."

Regardless of whether or not this year's school budget passes, West Frankfort Elementary School will not re-open.

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