Holley Central facing staffing cuts

A combination of skyrocketing costs for special education programs, contractual obligations, double-digit health insurance increases and unfounded state mandates have all played a part in the $1.2 million budget deficit the Holley Central School system is facing.

Because of that deficit, the district will be losing an elementary vice principal, three reading teachers, seven instructional aides, a part time cleaner/clerical position in the transportation department and a vacant cleaner position will not be filled.

Superintendent of Schools Vernon Hobbs said residents of the district were forewarned in October 2002 of the impending cuts. "We promised we would make every effort to reduce the deficit while doing our best to maintain quality educational programs for our students."

The cuts, which will be effective March 1, will have a direct impact on Leanne Donovan, who will be one of the instructional aides whose position will be eliminated. "I am a community member and a parent of two children who receive academic support within the school," she wrote in a letter submitted to the Westside News Opinion section.

Donovan questioned what kind of message the Board of Education and the superintendent were sending to the community when they decide to cut academic programs out of the system. "How will the children who are losing their remedial help reach their academic goals?" she asked.

Hobbs said the district has made progress in several significant areas. "As a result of key initiatives, including bringing back students from outside placements, special education cost escalation has been moderated," he explained. "We remain committed to ending the fiscal year with carry over funds that will help reduce the deficit level."

With New York state identifying its worst budget deficit in history of about $12.5 billion, Hobbs said it is almost certain the district will see further reductions on state aid assistance. "We're preparing for a 5.4% aid reduction based on the Governor's proposal," he said, adding the percentage equates to $493,000 in the district's budget process. "We know taxpayers cannot support an additional property tax increase of this magnitude."

Because of this, Hobbs said, expenditure decreases are necessary. "This means that, regretfully, we are forced to make a mid year reduction in force and carry those layoffs into the next fiscal year."

The staff reduction plan was developed by the administration and approved by the board of education on January 27 and will save an estimated $113,000 during the current fiscal year and more than $308,000 during the next year. "All core programs and mandated services will be continued," he said. "No classroom assignments will be changed mid year nor will class sizes be increased this year because of these reductions."

Donovan says there are many unanswered questions in the community as to why a vice principal position would be created, then abolished in less than six months, and why the district felt it was necessary to cut academic services rather than extra curriculars. "The only answer we received is that there are more cuts to come," she said.

Hobbs said the district regrets the impending layoffs but said the economic reality of the situation is that the district cannot afford to maintain its current staffing levels in the face of the current deficit and impending aid reduction from the state. "High double digit tax increases or a contingency budget could seriously and permanently damage the quality of educational programs in Holley," he said.

On a final note, Hobbs said, the Board of Education and district officials cannot solve the economic issues by themselves. "Most of our employees are represented by labor unions including the Holley Teacher's Association, which represents the highest percentage of budgetary costs related to personnel and benefits," he said. "We will need to look to these organizations to become "part of the solution" as we explore creative options that will preserve the excellent educational programs the district provides the students."