There seems to be a reluctance to share proposed budget details with the public here. To pull out of this depression/ recession/ economic black hole, we need ALL options on the table. And to have all options on the table means having all information available to everybody. (more…)
If the funding formulas and revenue streams aren’t confusing enough, this article clearly illustrates the ridiculous. That school funding is somehow tied into public transportation fees is absurd. Both public schools and public transportation are worthy endeavors with benefits tangible and otherwise. To have one at the expense of the other challenges how much public benefit we can achieve. It also further stresses an already difficult upstate/ downstate political dynamic.
There are many details to be worked out, but the consolidation of school districts/ district services is encouraging.
It seems that the stimulus package will avoid layoffs in our local schools. From an employment standard, this is good news. But essentially a large part of the stimulus will supplement shrinking local and state funds to retain public sector jobs. I’m glad that our school budgets won’t be bludgeoned for the time being. The long term problems are not going to be solved without hard work at changing the budget structure. If we don’t take a more comprehensive approach to reforming education, including how it is funded, we will be facing even more dire budgetary woes in relatively short order. We need to take this opportunity to put real planning resources into solutions for long term, public education sustainability.
The Kingston City School District, the largest in our county, is a mix of urban and suburban populations, with many elementary schools, two middle schools and one central high school. Here is what community members have been looking at as options for budget cuts. It should be noted the difficulty of this conversation in that costs must be looked at in perspective - long term vs. short term. Examples in the article include reading recovery and sports. The former is expensive, but if it is not in place, long term costs could balloon. Sports can be costly to provide, but they have societal and educational implications to be considered. There are no easy answers.
School budgets, just like municipal, small business and family/ household budgets, are facing cuts. According to the NYS Division of the budget, approximately 43% of school district funds come from the state, 49% of revenues are raised locally and the feds make up the difference. This varies slightly from district to district but is a good estimation. (more…)
This economy is hard. Almost universally, the conventional wisdom is that it will take a while to get better. There seems to be almost unrealizable expectations about what the government funds can and will deliver in terms of getting back on a highway to prosperity. Every organization and group has a hand out, looking for funds to “stimulate” the economy and shore up budget shortfalls.
We will continue to stall and sputter if the stimulus package is used to supplement current shortcomings. (more…)
The New York Times looks at school consolidation in this article on the Amagansett District with a total student population of 115. The article is following up on the Suozzi Report which focused on potential solutions for property tax relief. Looking at the plethora of taxable entities in New York State- school districts included – the Report recommended consolidation of districts with fewer than 1000 students. Note that in Ulster County we have 55 property tax burdens. For 180,000 residents, these tax burdens account for significant financial burdens. If consolidation can improve efficiency and reduce the costs related to living here, isn’t it worth studying? This is not an endorsement of every suggestion. But it makes sense to consider the options and their costs and benefits. (more…)
