$60 million deficit 'mind-boggling' for city schools
Board seeks ways to cut costs and boost funding
Buffalo school officials face the “mind-boggling” task of trying to plug a projected $60 million deficit next school year while avoiding widespread layoffs and devastating cuts in classroom instruction, the Board of Education was told Wednesday evening.
“It really requires major surgery,” said Gary M. Crosby, the district’s chief financial and operations officer. “I’m not sure anyone’s going to be happy when we’re done.”
Gov. David A. Paterson’s proposed budget would eliminate a $36 million state aid hike the district anticipated. Instead, Buffalo faces a $15 million cut, turning a projected $9 million deficit into a $60 million nightmare.
Superintendent James A. Williams urged board members and the community to pressure state legislators to provide additional aid.
“To look for $50 million or $60 million is going to be devastating to our school district,” he said. “We just cannot sit back and let the governor’s deficit go through as it is.”
Crosby did not specify possible cuts but said district administrators are putting together “a long list” of all programs that are not mandated and could be subject to cost-cutting.
“Everything is on the table,” Williams said. “This is very serious.”
The district has $33.8 million in reserve funds that are “free and clear” and another $65 million designated for specific purposes, Crosby said.
But he cautioned against spending down reserves and leaving the district even more vulnerable to additional state aid cuts anticipated in 2010-11.
“This is not a one-year economic crisis,” Crosby said. “It’s just the beginning. We’re going to be up against it in a big way, next year and the following year as well.”
Unlike suburban districts, Buffalo cannot fill a budget deficit by raising property taxes.
“We’re stuck,” Crosby said. “We have to make cuts. Nobody’s going to give us any more money.”
West District board member Ralph Hernandez praised the district’s financial team and said he is confident the budget can be balanced without cuts in instructional programs.
“We’re going to be OK,” he said.
“I wish I could share some of that optimism,” replied Florence Johnson, an at-large member.
“We can solve this problem if we work together,” said Christopher Jacobs, an at-large member. “[But] it’s clear there will be cuts.”
Williams said that the board will schedule special meetings to deal with the fiscal crisis and that community meetings will also be held to solicit public input.
Since building aid was not targeted for cuts in Paterson’s budget proposal, it appears that the district’s massive school reconstruction project will not be harmed, Crosby said.
“We’re keeping our fingers crossed,” he added.
In another matter, 87-year-old Kermit Schlicht was awarded a diploma 69 years after leaving what is now Hutchinson Central-Technical High School so he could take a job to help support his family.
Schlicht, who won the Turkey Trot road race at age 15, went on to serve in Okinawa with the Navy in World War II, work as a superintendent at American Lubricants and retire from Chevrolet. He also was a volunteer firefighter for the Cleveland Hill Fire District for 50 years.
The diploma was awarded under a state program recognizing armed forces veterans who were unable to complete high school.
Schlicht, who was visibly moved by the honor and later joked with reporters, attended the ceremony with Mary — his wife of 66 years — and other family members.
“This is the biggest shock of my life,” he said.
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