On Thursday, April 2, 2020, the Guilderland Central School District Board of Education will hold a budget workshop to consider additional reductions to the 2020-2021 spending plan in light of new fiscal challenges facing the state as a result of the continuing COVID-19 health crisis.
On March 10, the Guilderland CSD administration presented a $103.5 million draft budget proposal that included a number of cost-saving measures, including changes to staffing, to limit expenses in the 2020-21 school year. The draft budget presented to the board of education also stayed within the district’s maximum allowable tax levy limit of 2.25%, set by a formula prescribed by the state.
However, in light of New York State’s deteriorating current and projected fiscal condition and growing uncertainty about the level of state aid available to the district, the board will consider added measures to reduce spending for the upcoming school year at its April 2 meeting.
The workshop will be held via conference call and live-streamed over Youtube and available on Spectrum Cable Channel 1302/33 within the Town of Guilderland. Community members are welcome to view the proceedings. Directions on how to watch.
After the meeting, the district will be launching a Thoughtexchange for the community to be able to submit questions and comments, which will run until April 24, 2020. Look for a link to participate in the exchange after the meeting.
In the budget released on March 10, the district also recommended a total of 6.2 Full-time Equivalent (FTE) staffing reductions in 2020-21, including:
- 1.0 FTE elementary reading teacher;
- 0.5 FTE special education teacher;
- 0.5 FTE account clerk at Farnsworth MS;
- 1.0 FTE math and science teaching assistant at GHS;
- 1.0 FTE school counselor at GHS;
- 0.10 FTE health teacher at GHS;
- 0.10 FTE physical education teacher at GHS;
- 1.0 FTE occupational therapist (districtwide);
- 1.0 FTE clerical staff at the district office
A list of additional proposed reductions will be provided at the workshop.
“We are living in a time of unprecedented uncertainty and all of the indicators are pointing toward a difficult economic future for which we need to prepare. Unfortunately, that means making some very difficult decisions about the programs and services we can afford to provide to our students over the long term,” said Superintendent of Schools, Marie Wiles.
The district welcomes the questions and comments of all community members as it finalizes a spending plan for the upcoming school year.
View the 2020-21 draft budget in the district’s online board portal.
How to watch the Livestream of the April 2 Board meeting on YouTube
The YouTube Livestream of the meeting will be hosted on the GHS Media YouTube page. The meeting will start on or around 7 p.m.
- Go to the GHS Media YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3rV9PpqTNs1vkdrS7xHE4w
- The Livestream will automatically pop up when the meeting is started. You might need to refresh your screen around 7 p.m.
- Click on the video named “2020-21 Budget Workshop, April 2, 2020” with the Live Now badge.