By Matt Hampton
The district plans to eliminate its summer school and driver's education programs for the 2009-10 school year, and to lose several teaching and administrative positions through attrition. Officials are making the cuts in the interest of maintaining a high level of classroom education, according to Superintendent Warren Meierdiercks.
"The budget itself is increasing 1.8 percent in expenditures," Meierdiercks said. "That's the lowest [increase] we've had in 15 years in this district. We had to make some cuts in programs and in staffing, and we could lose up to eight positions district-wide."
Meierdiercks said that four teaching positions or more would be eliminated, all in areas where there are likely to be retirements. He said that while no teachers are in danger of losing their jobs because of budget reductions, those who leave will probably not be replaced, due not only to financial considerations, but to a decline in enrollment.
Other proposed cuts include a 50 percent reduction in the capital projects fund, which would prevent the district from going ahead with proposed renovations, and a 20 percent cut in athletics. The elimination of summer school and driver's ed. would take effect this year, and the adult education program would also be cut.
Meierdiercks said he hoped the cuts would be temporary until the state could provide some relief funds next year. Until then, he said, he is aware that residents will likely be unhappy. "People are concerned, but they also understand the financial impact it's going to have," he said. "Taxpayers are quite concerned about expenditures. Everyone understands that school districts are taking a hard line on trying to have a minimal impact on the students."
Jean Fichtl, the Sewanhaka Board of Education president, said that the reality of the cuts has been incredibly disappointing to parents and teachers alike, but given the economic climate, tough choices had to be made. "The board talked long and hard about this, and we tried to do the least that would impact students and their future," Fichtl said, adding that she was worried that as the school year starts to wind down and programs disappear without returning, the outrage will set in among local parents. "The reaction that I've seen so far, the parents are OK with the cuts, but I don't know if the reality of all the cuts has come home yet."
Fichtl said that the loss of summer school was particularly disappointing to the board, but ultimately it was a big-ticket item that many believed wasn't being used to its greatest potential by students. "Students really weren't achieving in summer school," she said. "If we restore anything, it will be programs that help students get to June so they can graduate."
Despite the cuts, Meierdiercks said he believed the district will still serve students well. "I think we're still going to run a wonderful education program - it's not like the students are going to be hurt," he said. "For the most part, except for the summer school program and driver's ed., we're continuing business as usual."
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liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 214.
