The Cazenovia School District finance committee proposed a preliminary budget at the March 16 school board meeting that makes up for possible cuts in state funding with reductions in several areas, including the reduction of summer school for upper grade levels.
“We haven’t eliminated any programs from the regular school day,” Superintendent Robert Dubik said.
The finance committee has been working on the budget since January using the budget proposed by Governor Paterson. The final budget has not yet been determined by the state, but the governor’s proposed budget includes a cut of about $700,000 in state funding.
The preliminary budget reduces the athletic budget, the transportation budget and the building and grounds budget, Dubik said. Moving to full-day kindergarten classes would save the district about $40,000.
Summer school, which has been offered to first through eighth graders, would be reduced to only first and second graders. The fact that summer school has never been mandatory for any students affected the decision to eliminate the upper grade levels, Dubik said.
Dubik said that the preliminary budget would also eliminate some clubs, middle school afterschool intramurals and adult education.
Combined with the loss of two teachers and three teacher assistants, a change due to decreased enrollment, these cuts would result in savings of about $460,000, Dubik said. The rest of the gap in state funding would be met by budgetary savings and reserve funds.
Dubik said that the budget could increase 1.5 to 3.8 percent.
The finance committee is finalizing the budget this month and will present it to the school board April 20. The board meets at 7:30 p.m. at Green Street Middle School.
