School Cuts Approach $2M
Mar 11th, 2010 | By Greg Hazley | Category: On tap, SecaucusSecaucus Superintendent Cynthia Randina said today that proposed cuts to the town’s education budget for next year are approaching $2M, complicating an already difficult budget process and likely sparking a wave of jockeying ahead of the April school board elections.
That estimate expands on the $829K in cuts outlined by business administrator Ed Walkiewicz last month.
Randina with administrator Ed Walkiewicz
Randina said administrators and the board of ed are currently working on the district’s 2010-11 budget due to the county superintendent by March 22.
Governor Chris Christie has slashed state aid spending to school districts as part of a broader effort to plug a $2 billion state deficit.
Randina said the budget will comply with state and county guidelines “while preserving a quality education for our students.” She said essential funds will be earmarked to maintain core academic programs and those required for students to graduate.
In a statement (download it here), Randina warned of political maneuvering over the next month as the school board election approaches.
“…due to the unprecedented nature of the cuts to school districts there will be an abnormal amount of speculation, rumor,” she said. “There will also be a generous offering of opinions and proposed solutions, to deal with problems that are not only complex and closely tied to federal and state mandates, but unique to the education of students in a taxpayer-supported public school system.”
She also defended the decision to replace 10-month supervisors with year-round directors and department chairs.
“This model places the management closer to the classroom and students, and in the process, saves the district approximately half a million dollars,” she said.
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everyone take a 10 percent paycut and be happy to have a job
This just gets worse and worse. Why is one of the first places the governor went after the schools? It makes no sense.
To force them to become more efficient and stop wasting tax payer money. They spend, spend and spend, but if someone asked them to spend a few bucks into health care they freak out. All new hires should be out of the pension system and all teachers should now pay into healthcare. Problem solved!
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/03/kansas-city-school-district-faces.html
“Emotional board member Duane Kelly told the crowd of more than 200 people Wednesday night”
26 Schools closed and there is only 200 people… Parents, get involve, please.
Also on similar matter, is it going to take a bankruptcy for people to accept changes/take action or can these people that we paid good money for make the decisions when the situation isn’t as dire.
I agree with Red cidar. But I find it funny how Randina has now blamed the state for her over spending. Lower the cost of education per pupil. Efficiency Privatize Janitors. do they really need to make 70K, plus pension and 30K in benifits to clean a school. Get Solar panels and seel energy back to PSE&G instead of paying out the nose for the lights that never go off.