South Country Proposes Slashing 51 Positions In Budget

BELLPORT, NY — The South Country school district has proposed slashing around 51 jobs — including 28 full-time teaching posts, librarians and other support staff — to help make up for a $3 million budget hole for the upcoming school year.

The district's adopted $147 million spending plan, representing a 2.87 percent increase from the current budget, including a 3.48 percent tax levy increase, which is equal to the tax cap, Newsday reported.

Thirteen of the total proposed eliminations would be retirements, however, the reduction in instructional staff would bring the teacher-to-student ratio from 10:1 to 11:1, according to the outlet.

Patch has reached out to school district officials for comment.