Auburn School Board Discusses Anticipated State Funding Cuts

January 13, 2010

Tough times are ahead statewide for school districts – especially those in central New York, the Auburn Enlarged City Scho ol District Board of Education said.
 The board met Tuesday to discuss the issue of the anticipated state budget, among other topics.

Superintendent JD Pabis said the district’s December state aid payment was delayed by $180,000, while its January STAR rebate was delayed by $735,000.

The district is now dipping into its reserve fund to make up these funds and survive the current situation.

It has also put a freeze on spending on equipment, said Pabis.

“With the shortfall we’ve had mid-year, I do not foresee cuts this school year,” Pabis said.

“But next school year, we won’t have that luxury (of having reserve funds at hand).”

The board said it is aware the district will be losing Title IV funding next school year and will see a decrease in its Title I funding.

“This is the first time I believe strongly that the money just isn’t in the coffers,” said Pabis. “But we will always remember that the child comes first.”

Pabis said the district needs to see the governor’s proposed budget – which is scheduled to come out on Jan. 19 – before it calculates its numbers and has a true idea of the extent of the education cuts.

Until then, the district’s financial future and exact figures are uncertain.

“We will have a better picture of what next year will bring on Jan. 19,” Pabis said. “We don’t have that crystal ball.”

In other news:

• The district has taken actions to correct some of the citations in the recent audit report performed by the New York State Comptroller’s Office, Pabis said.

The district was cited for approving “side letters,” or agreements that can modify original contracts, in ex ecutive session without a board vote, and away from the eyes of the public.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the board voted on and approved two “memoranda of agreements,” which, according to Pabis, are the equivalents of the side letters that were used in the past in executive session.

“All the board members are aware of it,” said Pabis, referring to the new documents’ content. “Scenarios are gone over with the board and then they vote on it.”

Pabis also said the district received restitution from three employees who received too much and unearned sick leave.

Sick days were donated to the district by the first two employees’ association, and the third employee worked enough extra time to make up the inappropriate sick days taken, said Pabis.

The next school board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26 in the high school library.