Oxford superintendent discusses unexpected million dollar budget gap
(Photo by Zachary Meseck)
OXFORD – Representatives of the Oxford Academy and Central School District recently discussed the district’s million dollar budget gap, and how health insurance cost increases impacted the school’s financial plan.
According to Oxford Academy and Central School District Superintendent John Hillis, at the end of January, the governor’s budget was released, and the Oxford School District was notified of its state aid allotment with a sizable budget gap.
The news comes after the New York State Comptroller’s Office placed the Oxford School District in the susceptible to fiscal stress category in 2019.
“We had a budget gap of $466,000,” said Hillis. “We predicted in advance things were going to be tough, however, nothing could prepare us for what we’d soon be facing.”
He said shortly thereafter, more data came in requiring an increase to the $19,470,390 budget due to an unexpected increase in health insurance costs.
“In a matter of weeks, as our cost adjustments were being fine-tuned, our budget gap escalated from $466,000 to $517,000 to $695,000 and on to our current gap of $1,028,000,” he added. “We currently have a budget shortfall of over $1 million.”
He said finding a solution to this problem isn’t an easy task. He added that difficult decisions are being made and the school is weighing its options very carefully.
The school’s budget was recently discussed at a Village of Oxford meeting. The village and the school have an agreement to place a resources officer at the school but the school moved to remove the position recently.
Information from the school shows that cutting out the school resource officer reduced costs by approximately $74,000.
“More than anything, our goals have been the security of our buildings and of course to protect student learning,” said Hillis. “These have been challenging but we feel we’ve put together a plan that addresses both.”
“We understand that every person and every program has worth. There is a human aspect to this and we take that very seriously. However, there is no easy way to cut over $1 million out of a budget.”
He said in the end, people will be affected, and that this is not something that any of us want to see happen but this is a reality they must face.
“We realize the weight of the decisions that we’re forced to make and hope the community understands that we take no joy in any of them,” he added. “State funding is not sufficient and operating costs continue to rise. We must come to terms with that.”
“We are asking for your support as we navigate this very difficult terrain.”
According to Oxford Academy and Central School District Superintendent John Hillis, at the end of January, the governor’s budget was released, and the Oxford School District was notified of its state aid allotment with a sizable budget gap.
The news comes after the New York State Comptroller’s Office placed the Oxford School District in the susceptible to fiscal stress category in 2019.
“We had a budget gap of $466,000,” said Hillis. “We predicted in advance things were going to be tough, however, nothing could prepare us for what we’d soon be facing.”
He said shortly thereafter, more data came in requiring an increase to the $19,470,390 budget due to an unexpected increase in health insurance costs.
“In a matter of weeks, as our cost adjustments were being fine-tuned, our budget gap escalated from $466,000 to $517,000 to $695,000 and on to our current gap of $1,028,000,” he added. “We currently have a budget shortfall of over $1 million.”
He said finding a solution to this problem isn’t an easy task. He added that difficult decisions are being made and the school is weighing its options very carefully.
The school’s budget was recently discussed at a Village of Oxford meeting. The village and the school have an agreement to place a resources officer at the school but the school moved to remove the position recently.
Information from the school shows that cutting out the school resource officer reduced costs by approximately $74,000.
“More than anything, our goals have been the security of our buildings and of course to protect student learning,” said Hillis. “These have been challenging but we feel we’ve put together a plan that addresses both.”
“We understand that every person and every program has worth. There is a human aspect to this and we take that very seriously. However, there is no easy way to cut over $1 million out of a budget.”
He said in the end, people will be affected, and that this is not something that any of us want to see happen but this is a reality they must face.
“We realize the weight of the decisions that we’re forced to make and hope the community understands that we take no joy in any of them,” he added. “State funding is not sufficient and operating costs continue to rise. We must come to terms with that.”
“We are asking for your support as we navigate this very difficult terrain.”
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