Budget Forum

On Monday the 21st of March, the Niskayuna School Board held the 2011 Budget Forum in the
Niskayuna High Auditorium to discuss the effects of the latest proposed budget cuts through a public
forum, drawing a crowd of at least 200 people. Following the newly released budget of $76,453,471, it
was calculated that currently the school district is left with nearly a $6 million deficit. This deficit, as was
detailed by Dr Kevin Baughman, the Superintendent of the Niskayuna school district, is caused by the
combination of "a $1.4 mil. loss of State Aid, a $1.5 mil. reduction of Federal Funding, a $1.1 mil. in
salary step up/continued increases, $1.1 mil. in Pension increases, and a $550 k. increase in Health
Insurance." As he stated, "This leaves us with a $6 mil. deficit, on a budget of $76 mil."
The forum began with each individual in attendance receiving a handout of sheets, detailing the planned
cuts and the effects it would have on the students. Immediately following this, Ms Jeanne Sosnow, the
President in the Board thanked everyone for coming and each member of the board subsequently
introduced themselves, stating how long they'd lived in Niskayuna, and stressing their ties to the
schools, be it through students or teachers. After this, Dr Baughman began a presentation which
summarised the budget process, and then provided several strategies for 'addressing the deficit.'
The three options listed were; reducing spending, using reserve funds, or raising taxes. He then stated
that, "in order to maintain the current level of spending, $4.47 mil. would have to be cut," along with
the fact that the board is careful about spending their reserve funds as, "there is only $3.7 mil.
remaining, and if we spend it all now, we'll have no reserves come next year." Following this, he detailed
that, "with each percent increase in taxes, we take $.5 mil. of the deficit."
The problems which have scared many people however, are the proposed reductions/cuts, such as the
cutting of 36 fulltime positions, an assistant principal at the high school, and the reduction of Print shop
staffing and supplies. Mr Baughman then came to the most important part of his presentation, the list
of impacts these cuts would have on students. "They would cause larger classes, meaning that individual
students needs aren't met, less Administration, reducing support for students and parents, fewer
classes, which would increase class size and decrease diversity, and fewer after school clubs," he listed,
"Our schools would not be able to buy the latest technology, meaning that rather than replacing in a
three to four year cycle, they would be replaced in an eight to nine year cycle, meaning our students
would be working on outdated equipment. Not only that, but there will be reduced sports, reduced
supplies..., and fewer bus runs, which would result in crowded buses, and longer rides." At this, Ms
Sosnow reminded everyone to make sure they voted in the upcoming election on May 17th, and opened
the forum up for questions.
The question and answer lasted for another hour with the night ending at roughly 8:40, and it raised
several good points, mainly having to do with the damaging effects some plans might cause, specifically
combination classes, along with many students citing examples of wasted money found in the school.
However , the main hope for the board, stated Mr Robert Winchester, a board member, is that, "Both
you, and us, leave with some new ideas and views on the proposed budget."