The Penfield Board of Education has adopted a $82.7 million budget for 2010-11, where nearly 28 staff positions would be eliminated.
The board voted to adopt the spending plan at the April 13 meeting.
If the budget is passed at the district-vote May 18, taxpayers would see a 2.9 percent tax levy increase. The tax levy -- the amount of the budget funded by local property taxes -- is increasing due a $2.3 million state aid decrease, which raised the tax levy though the budget is increasing only 0.8 percent.
Superintendent John Carlevatti says a decline in enrollment assisted in tightening up offered classes and reductions in staff.
Administrators estimate 27.5 full-time equivalent positions would be cut, seven through retirements. The eliminated positions would be a combination of layoffs and leaving vacant positions open. No academic programs would be cut, though the Penfield High School home and careers track would be removed from the curriculum. The family and consumer science track would still be offered at the middle school level.
“The whole focus of this budget was to minimize any impact on students, while still maintaining a high quality of instruction,” he said.
The athletics department took a 4 percent cut, including eliminating the modified “A” football team. Players will still have the chance to play at the modified or junior varsity levels.
The school is expected to see a $2,318,920 decrease in state-provided funding for the district, via Gov. David Paterson’s budget deficit reduction plan. The decrease in state aid was offset by a $900,000 increase in fund balance, and a $350,000 use of reserves. Assistant Superintendent for Business Mark Sansouci says the use of reserves will help lessen the impact on taxpayers.
Taxpayers can weigh in on the budget at the district-wide budget vote May 18, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Penfield High School.
The Penfield Board of Education has adopted a $82.7 million budget for 2010-11, where nearly 28 staff positions would be eliminated.
The board voted to adopt the spending plan at the April 13 meeting.
If the budget is passed at the district-vote May 18, taxpayers would see a 2.9 percent tax levy increase. The tax levy -- the amount of the budget funded by local property taxes -- is increasing due a $2.3 million state aid decrease, which raised the tax levy though the budget is increasing only 0.8 percent.
Superintendent John Carlevatti says a decline in enrollment assisted in tightening up offered classes and reductions in staff.
Administrators estimate 27.5 full-time equivalent positions would be cut, seven through retirements. The eliminated positions would be a combination of layoffs and leaving vacant positions open. No academic programs would be cut, though the Penfield High School home and careers track would be removed from the curriculum. The family and consumer science track would still be offered at the middle school level.
“The whole focus of this budget was to minimize any impact on students, while still maintaining a high quality of instruction,” he said.
The athletics department took a 4 percent cut, including eliminating the modified “A” football team. Players will still have the chance to play at the modified or junior varsity levels.
The school is expected to see a $2,318,920 decrease in state-provided funding for the district, via Gov. David Paterson’s budget deficit reduction plan. The decrease in state aid was offset by a $900,000 increase in fund balance, and a $350,000 use of reserves. Assistant Superintendent for Business Mark Sansouci says the use of reserves will help lessen the impact on taxpayers.
Taxpayers can weigh in on the budget at the district-wide budget vote May 18, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Penfield High School.
