City Schools To Face Another Tough Budget Season

Like many school districts across the nation, the is bracing itself for another year of difficult decisions and harsh budget cuts.

“This [budget season] is one of the most difficult that I’ve seen,” said . “Part of that is because of the fiscal reality, and part is because of the political rhetoric.”

White Plains, like many New York school districts, are all facing the same issues: massive reductions in state aid; skyrocketing pension and health care costs; and even more unfunded mandates—all which they can do very little about.

So far, White Plains City School District is looking at an estimated $9 million ($8,987,941) shortfall in keeping the budget equal to the 2010-11 budget of $183, 533,896. The governor is proposing massive cuts to school aid, which would cost White Plains $2,137,941. In addition—instead of having the state fund 80 percent and school districts 20 percent for summer school special education costs—state legislators are proposing to flip ratio, costing White Plains $765,000 a year. This unfunded mandate was originally proposed last year, but did not pass. 

Teacher, administrator and staff raises will increase by $3 million, while their health insurance, pension and other benefits will increase by $3,085,000. Some of these increases are mandated by state law, while others are negotiated into employee contracts.

The additional $9 million on top of last year's budget would leave taxpayers with an estimated 6.5 tax rate increase in the 2011-12 budget, however, Clouet says that the school district will work to create a flat budget, or one with a modest increase.

“Since we don’t think that’s [a 6.5 percent tax rate increase] feasible, the main issues for us is prioritizing cuts,” said Clouet. “How do we prioritize cuts so we can maintain the core values, and core quality of our school district—while we reduce what we can offer? It’s no longer simply reducing some staff or making people do more with less, it’s actually reducing programs and reinventing what a public school does in this new context.”

The district’s Newcomer Center; the adult education program; the pre-kindergarten program; middle school sports, staff and more are on the chopping block to possibly be cut from the district’s offerings next year.

The district is assessing how many positions they may propose to be cut, and are deciding whether its feasible to offer a retirement incentive to teachers this year. Clouet said this would be discussed with teachers and the teachers unions.

Some city residents are currently rallying to the save the district’s pre-k program, which according to Clouet costs $600,000 to teach about 200 kids. They have created the “Save the White Plains Pre K!” website and Facebook page, in an effort to stave off partial or total cuts to the pre-k program. The group aims to petition state and local officials, as well as raise the funds necessary to keep the program functioning. They are also marching in the on Saturday to raise awareness.

Click here for information on the website and to learn more about the group’s plan of action.

“Without the pre-kindergarten program, a large portion of the young children in our community will be stepping into their first school experiences as full day kindergarteners, without the tools they need to be successful,"wrote resident Maki Itoh—in a letter to President Barack Obama, regarding the district’s potential to cut pre-k. "Unfortunately, it may be a shortfall they are never able to overcome.” 

The district is taking precautions in case the pre-kindergarten program ends up being cut in the 2011-12 school budget, and are working with private program providers to offer pre-k to White Plains students as an alternative. Click here for more information and here for a list of pre-k advocacy contacts.

“We have a high quality program,” said Clouet. “It’s so desirable for people with our certified teachers, and the materials are top flight. It’s just a very good program and I regret we might not be able to offer it next year, because of the whole [fiscal] scenario.”

Clouet says he hopes to work with the community to prioritize cuts and uncover the true impact of each cut, and decide which are better for the district.

“We need to balance the needs of our school children—who are only children for a brief moment in their lives—with the needs of overburdened taxpayers,” said the superintendent.

Here is the budget schedule:

Mon., March 7: Work session on budget at the special meeting of the White Plains Board of Education.  To be held at the , 5 Homeside Ln. at 7: 30 p.m.

Mon., March 14: Public hearing on preliminary proposed budget at regular meeting of the board. To be held at the , 5 Homeside Ln. at 7: 30 p.m. 

Wed., March 16: Community budget forum at the auditorium, 175 West Post Road, at 7:30 p.m.

Wed., March 23: Community budget forum at , 550 North St., in room B-1 at 7:30 p.m.

Mon., March 28: Final review of proposed budget at the special meeting of the board.  To be held at the , 5 Homeside Ln. at 7: 30 p.m.

April 11: Board adopts budget at their regular meeting. To be held at , at 550 North St., at 7:30 p.m.

Mon., May 9: Public hearing on the board’s adopted budget for voters to consider.   To be held at the , 5 Homeside Ln. at 7: 30 p.m.

Tues. May 17: School budget vote. 

Be sure to check back with White Plains Patch for coverage of the 2011-12 school budget season.

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