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St. Johnsville, N.Y. —
The Oppenheim-Ephratah Central School Board of Education has begun work on the 2013 - 2014 budget facing projections that show almost a $738,000 gap between revenues and expenses.
At this time, the budget includes projected double-digit increases in employee benefit costs and no spending for any new programs. The proposal also assumes no increase in state aid for next year, and does not project an increase in the tax levy, according to Superintendent of Schools Dan Russom.
“Considering the state’s financial situation, we’re not comfortable at this point assuming there is going to be an increase in state aid,” Russom said in a news release. “However — despite rising costs and decreased revenue — the needs of our students and the demands being placed on schools continue to increase.”
Many of the budget increases projected for next year are beyond the board’s control, including a 16 percent increase in contribution costs for the state Teachers’ Retirement System and a 20 percent increase in contribution costs for the state Employee Retirement System.
The district is also facing a 15 percent increase in health insurance costs for next year.
State mandates and the needs of students are also increasing.
“We need more remedial instruction for our students including math support at the elementary level,” Russom said. “We’re also are looking at expanding our business offerings and hoping to bring back the K-2 art instruction that was reduced. Our budget challenge isn’t simply to find a way to cut expenses to match our revenues. We also need to weigh the needs of our students and look for ways to improve our educational offerings.”
Russom said during the next few months the board will look for additional ways to close the gap between revenues and expenses. The board will next meet on Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. to discuss the budget.
Board members will review spending in several areas, including BOCES career and technical and special education costs, bus lease expenses and school electives, Russom said.
The Oppenheim-Ephratah Central School Board of Education has begun work on the 2013 - 2014 budget facing projections that show almost a $738,000 gap between revenues and expenses.
At this time, the budget includes projected double-digit increases in employee benefit costs and no spending for any new programs. The proposal also assumes no increase in state aid for next year, and does not project an increase in the tax levy, according to Superintendent of Schools Dan Russom.
“Considering the state’s financial situation, we’re not comfortable at this point assuming there is going to be an increase in state aid,” Russom said in a news release. “However — despite rising costs and decreased revenue — the needs of our students and the demands being placed on schools continue to increase.”
Many of the budget increases projected for next year are beyond the board’s control, including a 16 percent increase in contribution costs for the state Teachers’ Retirement System and a 20 percent increase in contribution costs for the state Employee Retirement System.
The district is also facing a 15 percent increase in health insurance costs for next year.
State mandates and the needs of students are also increasing.
“We need more remedial instruction for our students including math support at the elementary level,” Russom said. “We’re also are looking at expanding our business offerings and hoping to bring back the K-2 art instruction that was reduced. Our budget challenge isn’t simply to find a way to cut expenses to match our revenues. We also need to weigh the needs of our students and look for ways to improve our educational offerings.”
Russom said during the next few months the board will look for additional ways to close the gap between revenues and expenses. The board will next meet on Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. to discuss the budget.
Board members will review spending in several areas, including BOCES career and technical and special education costs, bus lease expenses and school electives, Russom said.
