Board of education discussing whether or not to refill seven retiring positions

By Jason Emerson

Editor

The Cazenovia Board of Education met for more than three hours last Monday, March 27, with most of that time devoted to discussing the 2017-18 budget assumptions, how best to fund programs and what amount of tax levy to ask for in the May budget vote.

With the $14 million Fenner Wind Farm placed on the district tax rolls this year, it has changed the area’s tax base growth factor and raised the overall allowable tax levy to 5.03 percent this year — versus last year’s allowable tax levy of zero percent. With this in mind, the board and district administration are faced with currently unknown state aid numbers and seven retirements at the end of the year. The latter development has given the board much to discuss as far as whether to hire full or part-time replacements for those seven jobs, or not hire any replacements, and consider how those replacements would affects programs and class sizes, as well as the overall budget.

“The board had a great discussion that really looked out for students and programs and was cognizant of the enrollment changes occurring and taxpayer impact,” said Superintendent Matt Reilly. “I think this is a really good budget that is responsible to programs, responsible to the community and responsible to the future. We’re in a position to afford the programs our kids need.”

“We made a conscious effort to put students and program first, while being fiscally responsible,” said Board President Jan Woodworth.

While the numbers are still tentative, the approximately $28 million budget — with less than 2 percent spending increase from last year — will fund all current district programs and will not exceed this year’s state-mandated tax cap amount of 5.03 percent, Reilly said.

The board’s major decisions at this time include how to handle the seven position retirements in the areas of elementary art and library, high school math and science, music, physical education and behavioral specialist. After a lengthy discussion, the board proposed fully replacing some of those positions and not replacing others. This was based on class sizes, staff sizes and input from teachers, grade level leaders and administrators.

“Nothing is set in stone. We wanted to see a full accounting of where we are financially with the changes we would like to make before we make final decisions,” Woodworth said.

The board will finalize and adopt the 2017-18 school district budget during a special meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m.  Thursday, April 13, in the Board of Education Conference Room inside the district office at the middle school building.

A public hearing on the proposed budget will be held on May 9, with the budget vote scheduled for May 16.

Also at the meeting, the board:

—Was informed by Reilly that the district has officially used up all its scheduled snow days, plus one. The administration has scheduled a make-up day for Thursday, June 22, which was no school for students and half day for staff; now it will be a half day for students K-7 and a full day for staff.

—Approved a user agreement between the district and Madison County to borrow electronic voting machines from the county board of elections to be used during school elections. The agreement is necessary because the district’s lever voting machines — which work perfectly well, Member Lou Orbach pointed out — are no longer allowed to be used by New York State. The district must pay for printing of ballots and for two certified election inspectors at the polls, all of which will cost over $300.