Latest Budget News

Board, community, continue staffing discussions; changes to upcoming meeting schedule

Posted: March 16, 2010

Elementary and Junior High staffing changes were discussed at the Budget Committee meeting on March 15. There is a proposed reduction of 8.5 FTE at the Elementary level and 2.2 FTE at the Junior High. Although the reductions are unpopular, instruction accounts for nearly 70 percent of the budget. In order to fall in line with the Governor’s proposed budget plan and not increase the tax rate by a significant percentage, the district must make reductions, albeit painful, in the areas where spending occurs the most. Click here to view the proposed staffing changes.

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Board continues budget process with reductions in debt service, summer curriculum

Posted: March 12, 2010

Facing a multi-million dollar gap between projected expenditures and revenues, the Board of Education accepted reductions in the areas of debt service and summer curriculum on March 11, at the second of six Budget Committee meetings. » READ MORE

Upcoming meeting locations have changed

Posted: March 9, 2010

Due to the large number of community members that turned out for the first of six Budget Committee meetings on March 8, the district has decided to relocate the venues for upcoming meetings. To view a schedule of future meetings as well as their new location, click here.

Budget Committee Meeting materials posted

Posted: March 9, 2010

The North Colonie School District has posted all materials that will be used at future Budget Committee Meetings. You can find them here.

Board begins budget process, examines potential reductions

Posted: March 9, 2010

The Board of Education began its formal 2010-11 budget development process on Monday, March 8, at the first of six Budget Committee meetings in front of community members who filled the Shaker High School Library.

An overview was presented of the current financial situation at North Colonie, which also detailed projected expenditures and revenues for next year. As it stands currently, North Colonie is proposing $3.3 million in expenditure cuts for 2010-11.

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Budget Breakdown: Examining district's financial reserves

Posted: February 22, 2010

School districts see great value in maintaining adequate financial reserves in case of emergencies. With schools entering this year's budget development process faced with numerous budgetary challenges, Governor David Paterson has repeatedly suggested that school districts use fund balances to cover possible losses in state aid for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 school years.
More recently, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released a report that concluded that some school districts have accumulated reserves in excess of what current laws allow.

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North Colonie Budget Committee meetings to commence
March 8

Posted: February 4, 2010

The North Colonie School District is preparing for a very difficult season of budget planning and will be holding a series of six Budget Committee meetings to help navigate this tough economic terrain.
The first of six Budget Committee meetings will be held on March 8, with the final one occurring on March 31. Summaries and supporting materials will be posted on the district's website following each meeting. Each meeting will be a working session for the Board of Education. » READ MORE

State aid cuts under Governor’s proposal to impact North Colonie’s budget

Posted: January 27, 2010

Under the proposed budget released by Governor David Paterson on January 19, North Colonie would see $2.4 million less in state aid next year, which will lead to district-wide budget cuts as Administration develops its 2010-11 budget.

The $2.4 million figure represents more than a 12 percent reduction in the district’s total state aid package from the current year. State aid accounts for almost 18 percent of the district’s $90,096,000 budget. State legislators will now take up the Governor’s proposal, with a final state budget due by April 1.

“This is a significant problem,” Superintendent Randy Ehrenberg said. “With decreased state aid, we are going to have to look at ways to shrink the gap between increasing expenses and declining revenues.” » READ MORE
 

Overview of the Budget Process

Posted: January 21, 2010

Budget development starts in early October when the District Administration begins to identify their budget objectives and the factors external and internal to the school district that are likely to have the greatest impact on the next year's program budgets. Such factors can include rising prices for fuel or health insurance, for example, or the expectation that we will be impacted by a new state mandate or a change in pupil enrollment. » READ MORE