(Smithtown Central School District) - Business Affairs Meeting - February 2, 2009 Report
Mr. Joseph Saggese, co-chair of Business Affairs, called the meeting to order and introduced Edward Ehmann, Superintendent of Schools, to discuss the introduction of the Superintendent’s Budget for 2009-2010. Also present were Business Affairs Co-chair Neil Carlin, President Carl Gianino, Vice President Bob Rossi, and trustees Gladys Waldron, Terri Knox, and Lou Liguori. In addition to Mr. Ehmann, representing central administration were Mary Cahill, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction & Administration, Joan Niles, Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations, and Karen Ricigliano, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel Services.
Mr. Ehmann began by saying that he was going to share some very unsettling news about what it would take to maintain this year’s program into next year. He said that the combination of reduced state aid, lower Town assessments, unfunded mandates, and contracted increases, created a gap between revenue and expenditures which will require Draconian measures to close. Mr. Ehmann added that for the District to remedy the $12,650,787 gap between revenue and expenditures, it will take a combination of expenditure reductions and increased revenue. As he took the audience through a Power Point presentation, he demonstrated how difficult it would be to build the 2009-2010 budget even with modest reductions in programs and personnel.
“It is very depressing to come to this meeting and share bad news,” Mr. Ehmann said. “Everyone in the community needs to understand the magnitude of the problem.” He said that the number one priority is to preserve our educational program, which he called the “jewel of the community.” He warned that our current educational program is in jeopardy and said that everyone needs to contribute to the solution. He said that unlike previous years, the CABDAC committee will not be coming to the board requesting additions to the program.
Mr. Ehmann also announced that the 15 non-aligned central office administrators and supervisors who are not in a bargaining unit had agreed not to accept raises from the Board of Education even if they were offered for 2009-2010. He added that he has begun conversations with the bargaining units and has emphasized to them that to close a gap of this magnitude requires great sacrifices from all members of our community. He indicated that it would appear that only a freeze in all salaries would avoid a massive layoff. Mr. Ehmann is hopeful that the various bargaining units will approach him with suggestions as to how they can help. Mr. Liguori calculated that as many as 80 positions might have to be excessed to fill the gap. “Both taxpayers and employees need to close the gap,” Mr. Ehmann said.
Mr. Saggese requested an actual proposal from the Superintendent at the February 26th meeting on how to fill the gap. He added that the three weeks would give Mr. Ehmann the chance to go to the various parties and ask for sacrifices.
Mr. Carlin advised Mr. Ehmann that he should run two concurrent budget proposals. “We can’t wait to see what we’re getting.” He also raised the question of overlap between District employees and residents. He asked how many employees live in the community. He requested a breakdown of Smithtown residents among the individual units. Mrs. Ricigliano said that we are running that report now. The last time it was run, she believes that the number was about one-third of the employees. Current numbers will be available shortly.
Mrs. Cahill invited persons who desire additional information to call her or one of the other administrators and to meet with her in an ad hoc citizens’ advisory committee on Monday, February 9. Mr. Ehmann announced that citizens could also e-mail their questions and concerns to budget@smithtown.k12.ny.us.
The remainder of the Business Affairs meetings will take place at 7 p.m. in the NYA Auditorium.
· Thursday, February 26
· Thursday, March 5
· Wednesday, March 18
· Tuesday, April 14
Citizens’ Advisory Meetings will take place at 7 p.m. at NYA in room 222A.
· Monday, February 9
· Monday, March 2
· Wednesday, March 11