'Challenging Budget Season' At Sachem Central School District

LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — In light of an $11 million deficit, the Sachem Central School District Superintendent Christopher Pelletieri said that the escalated costs of health insurance and retirement contributions, as well as a loss of state aid, has presented a challenging budget season.

The Sachem Central School District is considering cutting 70 people and also 35 retirees whose positions will not be filled because of a projected $11.7 million budget hole, News 12 reported.
The proposed cuts will affect teaching and teaching assistant jobs, as well as administrative and other positions, the outlet reported.

“This year is a particularly challenging budget season for the Sachem Central School District, as we are facing escalated costs beyond our control in the areas of health insurance and retirement contributions, which is only further compounded by a potential significant loss in state aid," Pelletieri told Patch in a statement. "Even if the “hold harmless” provision is reinstated by the Governor, without the typical three percent increase in state aid we have historically received, our district is facing a $11 million budget deficit currently."

Pelletieri said the district's work "to craft a proposed budget continues," and officials are "committed to working with all our staff, bargaining units, our state legislators, our entire school community in hopes of limiting cuts to staff and programs."

"Our hope is that our district not only sees a reinstatement of the hold harmless provision but also the additional three percent increase, which both houses of the state legislature have advocated," he said. "This would go a long way in helping us retain the staff and programs that have made Sachem such an incredible school system.”

The Board of Education is set to meet again on April 3.