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MONTROSE, N.Y. – Before nearly 200 people, Hendrick Hudson School District officials made an announcement that as many as 33 staff members could have their positions reduced in a budget recommended to the board of education.
The resounding response from audience members was summed up by one speaker from the public—“Save these teachers!”
The district must find nearly $2.8 million in savings to meet the tax levy cap, which through a complicated formula provided by the state is calculated at 1.07 percent for Hen Hud. The district has identified an additional $175,000 it will need for spending, connected to tax certioraris and “potential additional staff,” according to a hand out at the meeting. The two represent a total of nearly $3 million in cuts.
The district divided the cuts into two priority levels, “level one” and “level two.” If only level one positions are cut in the budget brought to public vote, 26 positions in total would be cut, which represent $2.2 million – comprised of 11 teachers, 12 teacher aides and three custodians, 26 positions in total.
The district is hoping to have a “zero” increase in teacher contracts that would save a little under $800,000 and priority level two staff positions. District officials said that if the district’s teachers union doesn’t accept a “zero increase” deal, level two positions would also be cut.
As many as half the audience members at Wednesday’s meeting wore blue “HHEA” t-shirts in support of the Hendrick Hudson Education Association.
Level two positions on the chopping block include five elementary level classroom teachers, one guidance counselor and an assistant principal from the high school, representing the same $800,000 in savings.
Even if teachers accept the “zero increase” deal proposed by the district, it would only guarantee the safety of level two positions. Board members said they are unclear if level one positions can be saved at all. Level one position cuts include programming such as two elementary school librarians, one social worker and one art teacher.
“The new contracts have to reflect the new economic reality,” said Superintendent Daniel McCann.
“We have a very highly paid staff,” said Board President Marion Walsh, noting that the issue is a double-edged sword because, “We want to attract the best.” One scenario likely weighing on the mind of board members is the rejection of the budget, which would necessitate a contingency budget and even more reductions than what was presented to the public at Wednesday’s meeting.
“That is one of my fears,” said Carol Popolow-Abraham, a parent in the district. “Parents are not going to understand the tax levy,” she said adding, “and it will be worse.”
“In my opinion the teachers at Frank G. Lindsey perform miracles,” said Doug Ballard, father of two students in the district about one of the hardest hit elementary schools. He said his two children came from a foreign country and couldn’t speak English three years ago. “You must find a way to keep them on the staff, you simply must.”
Elvia Pesantes held up her 5-year-old daughter, Amira and showed the crowd her note, which read, “I love you. You are my teacher.” Pesantes said the family only speaks Spanish at home and is amazed at her daughter’s love of writing.
Comments (5)
Up to now our teachers have not been willing to negotiate. Perhaps a zero percent increase and contributing to their benefits might help save some of their peers. It is in their hands. This is a tough economy for everyone. Yes everyone took the benefits when things are good and now we all have to share in the sacrifices. Including ensuring that our school board SAVE SOME MONEY when hiring a replacement superintendent. I don't buy that we have to have the best because are we getting the best? Look at other states who have superintendents that cover a dozen districts or schools far greater than ours and make less money and believe me their results are NOT worse than ours. We have overpaid for what we get and we all need to start doing our share to bridge the gap.
my wife has been volunteering in our daughters elementary class for most of the school year several days a week. after last nights meeting they now tell her that she can only do it one morning a week because it doesnt look good if there is a volunteer when there could be an aide performing the same functions. not that there is going to be an aide replacing herjust that it doesnt look good. thus the students will not necessarily suffer but will not benefit from have her volunteer. sounds like liberal union nonsense to me.
my wife has been volunteering in our daughters elementary class for most of the school year several days a week. after last nights meeting they now tell her that she can only do it one morning a week because it doesnt look good if there is a volunteer when there could be an aide performing the same functions. not that there is going to be an aide replacing herjust that it doesnt look good. thus the students will not necessarily suffer but will not benefit from have her volunteer. sounds like liberal union nonsense to me.
The times are certainly changing; the teachers and staff have taken what overpaid administrators gave them. When you have superintendents, making in the $300,000/year range why would a teacher making one third or less of that be willing to enter contracts that require them to accept minimum or no raises. This is the same district a short time ago told the community it would not be competitive with others if $21,000,000 were not spent of auditoriums, and two artificial turf football fields. No talk of it now that they want to layoff all these teachers, guess quality education only occurs when you have turf fields and huge sound stages. It is time for the administrations to take the blame for their actions in not foreseeing a deteriorating economic and financial situation. Their failure to oversee sound financial management is the root of the problem not that there are finally guidelines that should have been in place years ago.
I do believe teachers will negotiate but they should get a clear picture first of what will be saved by them taking zeroes. Teachers did not cause this bad economic situation and they shouldn't feel as if they did. It is a shame that when a cut has to be made that the most recently hired go first. In many cases these are some of the best educators we have.