OXFORD – The initial run of the Oxford school budget looks too good to be true. And it is, according to district officials.
“I anticipate further reductions and/or cuts in staff and resources before a final budget is adopted in April,” Superintendent Randy Squier said in a memo which went out to the district’s faculty and staff on Thursday.
The draft budget, presented to the Oxford Academy and Central School District board of education at a special budget meeting Wednesday, calls for a half a percent increase in spending. Funding the $17,108,544 spending plan will require the district to increase the local tax levy by 1.99 percent and dip into its unreserved fund balance for $537,945.
“We have been fortunate that we have built up our fund balance (unexpended money) over the years that allows us now to allocate those funds in order to avoid drastic cuts,” the superintendent said.
It will not, however, alleviate the need for all cuts. Based on the plan presented last week, Oxford will still need to cut one full-time teacher aide position and reducing four teachers, one LTA and two teacher aide positions to part-time. A number of other areas – including the business office, maintenance, special education, professional development, counseling services and athletics – have also been identified for cuts totaling over $300,000. The scope of these cuts, as well as an estimated 20 percent reduction in materials, supplies and contractual expenses, were not revealed last week.
“We haven’t yet really gone into the expenditure side,” reported Business Administrator Joe Gugino. According to Gugino, who started his post in January, this will be the topic of the next two special budget meetings, scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, March 28 and Monday, April 4.
“We need time to look at every line item,” he said, describing the budget as a “moving target” at this stage.
According to Squier, there are still a number of unknowns. Final numbers have yet to be finalized for utility costs and BOCES services in several areas, including special education. Oxford is also waiting for the New York State Education Department to confirm the increases they are expecting in several aid categories. In addition, the district is currently in contact negotiations with all three of its employee unions.
“Our cuts so far have mirrored our decline in enrollment and will continue to do so,” the superintendent said. “We also must be willing to look at ways to provide long term savings. This includes a serious honest look at how we configure our programs in our existing spaces.”
In his memo to district staff, Squier acknowledged that the budget process is an emotional one for those directly impacted by cuts. He encouraged anyone with ideas for cutting costs to submit those suggestions. This can be done through the district’s website, www.oxac.org.
Documents pertaining to the budget process are also posted on the site, and can be accessed by selecting the quick link to “2011-12 Budget Planning” which appears on the left side of the district’s home page.