Carmel School Officials: Budget Facing Major Cuts
In the Carmel school district, budget season has arrived and it’s one that could result in cuts across the board.
During a Feb. 25 Board of Education meeting, district officials outlined a possible budget for next school year that would keep Carmel schools under the allowable tax cap mandated by New York State.
During a presentation, Superintendent Dr. James Ryan said the district is working on a budget that would cut enough to get under the cap, noting instruction would be the biggest causality
For instruction, the district is looking at possibly eliminating elective classes and also the way they schedule the school day. Right now there are 9-period days at the high school and middle school, but that would be cut down to 8-period day instead.
At the elementary schools, there could be reductions in music and the arts, which are not mandated classes.
“They are significant changes to our operation,” he said of all the schools in the district.
Other cost saving measures include reducing personnel from areas like the administrative and support staff. Services such as facilities projects, assistant building heads, custodial staff, and community services programs might also be cut.
District equipment and supplies would also be reduced.
Ryan did stress these are possibilities and not necessary set in stone, especially with the possibly of more state aid coming to the district by the time the state finalizes its budget. Other changes that could affect the final budget include special education student placement, self-insured medical plans and use of the fund balance.
State aid right now is $23.5 million for the district.
The gap between current operating costs and the costs allowed under the tax cap this year is $2.97 million for Carmel, a number Ryan has never seen in his tenure as the district leader.
“Clearly that’s a challenge,” Ryan said. “It’s the largest number we’ve ever had to take on.”
Board president Rick Kreps told audience members during the meeting they need to raise their voices to the state in order to receive more help to keep school operations running at an acceptable level.
Kreps said there are sample letters that residents can find on the school website to send to legislators that represent voters in the area.
“They don’t like to be bothered, they don’t like to be screamed at,” he said. “And when that occurs they can take action.”
“People just need to get angry and they’ll listen,” Kreps added.
