Budget Talks Increasing at Sachem Board Meetings

The only green shown to members of the Sachem community at Wednesday night's Sachem Central School District's Board of Education meeting was in the members' attire. It certainly was not in the district's upcoming budget.

Like many schools in New York, Sachem will be faced with hard times for the 2010-2011 school year. At last month's meeting, the board proposed a budget with a tax rate of 4.88 percent, which they all agreed was a little high for these economic times. What they presented this month was a budget down almost $2 million, and a decreased tax rate of 1.81 percent, which equates to $60 per household.

Unfortunately, those numbers would be at the expense of jobs, namely aide workers from offices including attendance. On top of that, both literacy and collaborative coaching would see two positions each eliminated, with the former assisting in the training of younger teachers rather than bringing in an outside person to assist in the training.

One attendance aide, Felicia Demsen from Sachem High School East, voiced her distaste of the idea that cutting two positions (one from each high school) would save the district significant money.

"The impact of only two attendance aides would be heavily felt," she said before the board. "It is not possible to do our work" when one aide calls in sick. She stated that there is one aide for every 1,200-1,300 students in the high schools, and pleaded with the board to reconsider the cuts.

Her plea did not fall on deaf ears, as many of the board members stated their reluctance to cut jobs.

"The worst thing you can do during a bad economy is put people out [of work]," said Board Vice President Robert Scavo.

One suggestion was to eliminate food service upgrades that were to be given to a number of schools in the district. The upgrades, which included new serving lines, ovens, refrigerators and steamers, would come with a $324,500 price tag.

"If it isn't broken, don't fix it," said Scavo, referring to the fact that these are optional upgrades, and not necessary in order to keep the cafeterias functional.

Another area of concern debated between the board members was the new bleachers Samoset Jr. High would be receiving, which would cost the school $177 thousand. It was recently determined that the bleachers are beyond repair, but not unsafe to be used for athletic games and other events held inside the gym.

Terra Nova and COGAT testing, with the latter for Gate placement, are also up for termination.

Although much of the talk was on this year's budget, the board also shifted gears to the future and next year's budget. Bruce Singer, Assistant Superintendent for Business, said that with the budget deficits the way they are in Albany, the district should prepare for an even harsher budget for 2011-2012. He said the upcoming deficits are "not like any magnitude we've seen before."

"Next year is going to be a storm and a half," said Superintendent James Nolan.

The board will reconvene April 7 to discuss the future plans for the kitchen equipment and bleachers, and other additions and subtractions to the budget, which will be voted on May 18.