By DOUG La ROCQUE
Capital Region Independent Media
NEW LEBANON–The good news is the school district is not facing quite as dire a situation this year as they did during last year’s budget development talks. The bad news, expenses are still going up, particularly as it involves special education.
Last February, the district was facing a massive cut in state aid (often referred to as Foundation Aid) and was looking at program and staff cuts. Eventually the state legislature restored the aid, at least to the levels the district received the previous year, which is exactly how much New Lebanon got.
This year, Governor Hochul’s budget includes a nearly $52,000 increase in foundation aid and more than $64,000 in reimbursable aid. The board is hoping the legislature’s past history prevails here and proposes an even larger increase than what the governor asked for.
The second review of the budget proposal was not all rosy. This district is looking at a 37% increase in special education costs, partly because of state mandates, but also because the district is seeing a significant increase in the number of students classified as special needs. That is most prevalent in the elementary grades. The numbers for the kindergarten, first and second grades are particularly high.
There are a couple of reasons for this. Students in pre-K classes are not tested so when they enter the elementary program a lot more are being identified as “in need”.
Secondly, classroom distractions. Board Vice President John Kalisz waved his cellphone and said he thought that had something to do with it. Administrator Josh Noble indicated he believes electronic devices are leading to a lack of language skills.
The district will need to add another self-contained classroom and staff to both serve these students and meet state mandates.
What’s the bottom line? The answer is too early to say. Th district is still reviewing where they may tweak some programs and is hopeful of the previously mentioned increase in aid from the state legislature. Acting Superintendent Chris Harper said they should have some solid number at the board’s March meeting.
The board will hold a public hearing on the budget May 7 with the district-wide vote slated for May 20.
Superintendent Search
The public surveys about what district residents would like to see in a new superintendent have been received and the deadline has passed for applicants to submit their names to Questar, which is coordinating the search for the district. The board has a February 25 meeting planned with Questar officials to go over the list of applicants and narrow it down to those they want to continue to look at.
Everyone gets a diploma
Superintendent Harper says that is because every member of the senior class “earned it.” He told board members this year’s graduation rate is 100%. Mr. Harper credits a “good educational environment and parental involvement in their children’s schooling.”
Replacing a board member
The board opened the February 5 meeting with a resolution to remove Tom Rigg as a member of the board for lack of attendance and participation. It was noted that Mr. Rigg had not attended a board meeting since last August and has not communicated with the district. Specifically, the resolution describes it as “a refusal to serve.” It was approved unanimously as was the resolution to appoint Racheal Chubb as a temporary board member to replace him. She took her seat immediately.
A change of venue
Traditionally, the board holds six meetings a year at the Jr/Sr High School, and the other six regular gatherings at the Walter B. Howard Elementary School. The two schools are on the opposite ends of the district. Board President Michael Brutsch explained the change of locations to better facilitate district residents who live on the opposite sides of the district, with the opportunity to attend board meetings.
Starting with the March 5 meeting, the location changes to the Walter B. Howard Elementary School, typically in the library.
