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Catskill CSD looks to cut everything?
Feb 12, 2011 11:13 am
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="A recent Catskill Central School District graduation ceremony, as seen on the district website."]
[/caption]Talk about the new approach to education... The Daily Mail reports that the Catskill Central School District has started development of its 2011-12 budget, and is beginning from the bottom up, with a draft presented by CSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Farrell this week that reflects only programs and services mandated by the state. Board members were told that the factors for determining potential cuts included five criteria: Is the program mandated? How many students are impacted? Were the students and parents promised the program? What level of savings is realized if the item is eliminated? Does the program assist students to improve academically? It was noted that this year’s budget is $36,699,599, and that a mandated services only budget for next year would be $28,018,116, a reduction of $8,681,483. Other savings include $305,347 for no interscholastic sports, $83,600 for no extra-curricular activities, and $76,643 for no after-school buses. As presented, the figures, which Farrel said were "where the BOE felt it best to begin," eliminate most of the arts and music and business electives, reduced advanced science and math course offerings, gets rid of all AP classes, cuts extra-curricular activities and sports, drops healthcare to one nurse for the district, cuts out kindergarten and pre-K classes, and increases the length of distance students must walk to school. Farrell added that the Board of Education wants input from the community, and will accordingly host two community forums, from 6-8 p.m., on Tuesday, March 1 and Monday, March 14 at Catskill Middle School auditorium.
[/caption]Talk about the new approach to education... The Daily Mail reports that the Catskill Central School District has started development of its 2011-12 budget, and is beginning from the bottom up, with a draft presented by CSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Farrell this week that reflects only programs and services mandated by the state. Board members were told that the factors for determining potential cuts included five criteria: Is the program mandated? How many students are impacted? Were the students and parents promised the program? What level of savings is realized if the item is eliminated? Does the program assist students to improve academically? It was noted that this year’s budget is $36,699,599, and that a mandated services only budget for next year would be $28,018,116, a reduction of $8,681,483. Other savings include $305,347 for no interscholastic sports, $83,600 for no extra-curricular activities, and $76,643 for no after-school buses. As presented, the figures, which Farrel said were "where the BOE felt it best to begin," eliminate most of the arts and music and business electives, reduced advanced science and math course offerings, gets rid of all AP classes, cuts extra-curricular activities and sports, drops healthcare to one nurse for the district, cuts out kindergarten and pre-K classes, and increases the length of distance students must walk to school. Farrell added that the Board of Education wants input from the community, and will accordingly host two community forums, from 6-8 p.m., on Tuesday, March 1 and Monday, March 14 at Catskill Middle School auditorium.