budget 2009-10

posted 4/8/2009

With the new state budget as well as the Federal Aid still in place is the tax increase going to be the same?

Duanesburg Central School District's Board of Education adopted the 2009-10 proposed budget last night. If approved by voters on May 19, the estimated tax rate increase would be 1.67 percent for property owners in the Town of Duanesburg. This is lower than projections estimated during the March 17 budget presentation. Significant changes were made to the draft budget proposal once the Legislature passed the state budget and eliminated the deficit reduction assessment.

posted 3/16/2009

Is the school board seat a paid position, and if so how much?

No, board members are not paid. They do not receive salaries or other compensation. Learn more about becoming a board member.  

posted 3/13/2009

Is the possibility of cutting the AIS summer reading program still open on budget cuts?

Yes, it is one of many items being considered to reduce the proposed budget by nearly $600,000, which would allow the district to present a tax rate increase of 4 percent. For more information, visit the budget section.   

posted 3/10/2009

I was wondering if it was true that the school pays 100% of the teachers health coverage, and if so what is the odds of having the teachers pay 20% of it to off set some cost savings?

The district pays 100 percent of a teacher's individual healthcare coverage. Currently, the district and teachers union are in contract negotiations, and healthcare is a subject of conversation. 

posted 3/3/2009

Since the School District and the Teacher's Union have not agreed to a new contract, are there hard options being considered to reduce costs? Examples being:
1) Ending negotiation meetings with the Union and hiring all teachers on a case by case basis with individual contracts. Any teacher who is not willing to sign an individual contract would be let go and a new teacher (there are many looking for work) could be hired at a starting salary.
2) Stating that the district will move toward a merit-based raise/promotion system and away from a seniority based system. This will create an environment where the teachers will be striving to do what they can and not feeling a sense of entitlement.
3) There are many services that the district has to pay individuals (other than teachers) to provide. The District could save a lot of money mandating that their teachers become bus monitors, Club Advisors, detention teacher, In-School Suspension subs at no additional pay. The teachers would not be losing salary, but would be able to help the district through these hard times.

While these are all creative suggestions for cost-savings, the district cannot implement such ideas without union negotiations because of state laws, specifically the Public Employees Fair Employment Act, more commonly known as the Taylor Law. 

Your suggestions are still appreciated, though. The school board is trying to be very fair and reasonable in their negotiations. They are focused on reaching a resolution that is fair and reasonable to taxpayers while maintaining a competitive contract that attracts highly qualified teachers to work in Duanesburg.