Tue, May 13 2008
—
By Mark Boshnack
Staff Writer
A $23 million budget that calls for
cuts of nearly 20 staff positions was approved
by the Sidney Central School
Board of Education during its regular
meeting on Tuesday.
The budget will go before voters on
May 20.
The changes would call for a 2.45
percent budget increase and an estimated
tax-levy increase of 4.74 percent.
Without the cuts, taxpayers could
have seen a tax hike of more than 16
percent, said Superintendent Sandra
Cooper.
The unanimous decision came after
the seven-member board heard requests
from a number of parents and
students in the more-than 70-member
audience to reconsider a cut in the
middle school music program.
The half-time position was one of a
number of cuts needed to get expenses
in line with revenue, Cooper said.
While enrollment had decreased 372
since 1997, staff had increased 20 positions,
to 180, during that time period.
Several members of the board said
that making the cuts was a hard decision
during trying economic times.
Other positions cuts included: middle
school/high school, business and
keyboard; high school technology; a
half position in high school Spanish;
in middle school, two academic intervention
services teachers _ math and
ELA; also in middle school, half positions
in health and home and careers;
one in special education; and nine
aides _ two high school, four middle
school and three elementary school.
Administration cuts are business administrator
and assistant high school
principal.
Other staff cuts include two permanent
substitute teachers, district office
account clerk, a clerical position
and a half position in transportation
custodial worker. Extracurricular position
cuts include modified swimming,
cheerleading and assistant track
coach.
All staffing cuts will be made based
on seniority, Cooper said, and a couple
of positions will be added back in lessexpensive
positions so there will be no
loss in services.
In addition, staffing will be adjusted
so there is no loss in programs, Cooper
said. She said she adjusted the cuts
from earlier proposals to reflect concerns
brought up in presentations.
Sidney Teacher Association Co-
President Chris Barnes said she had
hoped the board would delay its vote to
consider some of the comments about
the music program.
She said that Cooper definitely listened
to staff concerns in adding back
several positions.
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