B-G seeks feedback in dealing with $1.2M deficit
BAINBRIDGE – Due to cuts in state aid, the Bainbridge-Guilford Central School District will now struggle to manage a $1.2 million deficit for the 2013-2014 school year.
The reduction in state aid is a result of the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) law introduced during the 2010-2011 fiscal year by then-Governor David Paterson as a way to lessen the state’s $10 billion budget deficit by lowering funding for education.
In order to manage the deficit, B-G superintendent Don Wheeler and fellow administrators are proposing a number of different measures to the school’s board of eduction. They include bringing school taxes up to meet the 4.9 percent tax cap, using $350,000 of the school’s reserves, and cutting $750,000 in secondary elective programs such as JV sports as well as janitorial jobs.
“The Gap Elimination Adjustment is hitting Bainbridge-Guilford harder than most schools in the area because we are treated like an ‘average needs’ school district when we are in fact a ‘high needs’ one,” said Wheeler. “The reality is, if we were still getting the same state aid as in the 2008-2009 school year, we would not be in this situation.”
The school district receives aid in accordance to tax data which has not been updated to account for an estimated 20 percent drop in the district’s tax base, Wheeler said. School administrators have asked for a reevaluation of the school district’s tax base, but have been denied.
“To be honest, I don’t understand why there hasn’t been a lawsuit over this yet; the courts clearly state that schools deserve this money,” said Wheeler, refering to the GEA.
School administrators are not only trying to tackle the challenge of managing next school year’s deficit, but are also looking ahead and attempting to formulate a plan for the next three to four years.
A public forum was held Monday night in the high school auditorium, allowing parents and concerned citizens to weigh in on the dilemma. Based on the community’s input, the final numbers for the 2013-2014 budget may change.
“We really want feedback from the community, which is why we are starting on this now instead of in April,” said Wheeler, who believes that if school administrators have an honest conversation with the community, they can move forward in overcoming this obstacle. “This is going to be challenging and difficult, the only way we are going to get through this is by working together. If we hold the line with contract negotiations and make it through the next two years, which is going to be a challenge, then we should come out of this.”
A second public forum on next year’s budget is scheduled for 7 p.m., March 25, in the high school auditorium.
For more information on the Gap Elimination Adjustment, visit nysed.gov or stateaid.nysed.gov/budget/html_docs/combaidbt_1314.htm.
The reduction in state aid is a result of the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) law introduced during the 2010-2011 fiscal year by then-Governor David Paterson as a way to lessen the state’s $10 billion budget deficit by lowering funding for education.
In order to manage the deficit, B-G superintendent Don Wheeler and fellow administrators are proposing a number of different measures to the school’s board of eduction. They include bringing school taxes up to meet the 4.9 percent tax cap, using $350,000 of the school’s reserves, and cutting $750,000 in secondary elective programs such as JV sports as well as janitorial jobs.
“The Gap Elimination Adjustment is hitting Bainbridge-Guilford harder than most schools in the area because we are treated like an ‘average needs’ school district when we are in fact a ‘high needs’ one,” said Wheeler. “The reality is, if we were still getting the same state aid as in the 2008-2009 school year, we would not be in this situation.”
The school district receives aid in accordance to tax data which has not been updated to account for an estimated 20 percent drop in the district’s tax base, Wheeler said. School administrators have asked for a reevaluation of the school district’s tax base, but have been denied.
“To be honest, I don’t understand why there hasn’t been a lawsuit over this yet; the courts clearly state that schools deserve this money,” said Wheeler, refering to the GEA.
School administrators are not only trying to tackle the challenge of managing next school year’s deficit, but are also looking ahead and attempting to formulate a plan for the next three to four years.
A public forum was held Monday night in the high school auditorium, allowing parents and concerned citizens to weigh in on the dilemma. Based on the community’s input, the final numbers for the 2013-2014 budget may change.
“We really want feedback from the community, which is why we are starting on this now instead of in April,” said Wheeler, who believes that if school administrators have an honest conversation with the community, they can move forward in overcoming this obstacle. “This is going to be challenging and difficult, the only way we are going to get through this is by working together. If we hold the line with contract negotiations and make it through the next two years, which is going to be a challenge, then we should come out of this.”
A second public forum on next year’s budget is scheduled for 7 p.m., March 25, in the high school auditorium.
For more information on the Gap Elimination Adjustment, visit nysed.gov or stateaid.nysed.gov/budget/html_docs/combaidbt_1314.htm.
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