Apr 3, 2017 - April 24th to comply with the statutory property tax report card deadline. ... with over a century of serv
NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS
NEWS RELEASE
7 ELK STREET ALBANY, NY 12207- 1002
518/449-1063 FAX 518/426-2229
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 3, 2017
CONTACT:
Robert Lowry 518-449-1063 or 518-435-5996 (cell) E-mail:
[email protected]
School District Leaders Urge Continued Negotiations Toward a Complete State Budget ALBANY – New York State Council of School Superintendents Executive Director Charles Dedrick today said, “The inability to achieve a complete state budget this weekend is discouraging for all parties and we recognize the need for today’s action to keep the state government operating. But the potential delay of a full fiscal year state budget for two more months may force school districts to make difficult choices that could otherwise be avoided.” “We urge state leaders to continue working toward a complete state budget,” Dedrick added. School districts follow a strict budget development process prescribed by law. As the state enters the 2017-18 fiscal year without a budget, school district leaders now must weigh a variety of troublesome choices as they seek to comply with budgetary timelines without knowing their total state aid appropriation. School leaders are entering uncharted territory, grappling with the first late state budget since the tax cap was enacted. School districts must finalize their budgets, which include the total dollars to be spent and the total tax levy, by April 24th to comply with the statutory property tax report card deadline. Dependent districts submit these budget proposals to their voters on May 16th. The uncertainty of this budgeting process is also more troublesome for low-wealth, high-need school districts as they rely on state aid for more of their total support than their more affluent neighbors and thus are subjected to greater uncertainty. “As a former superintendent who lived through years of late state budgets, my district was faced with challenging choices that risked educational programming and caused unnecessary consternation for staff,” said Council Executive Director Dedrick. “Students risk losing additional academic opportunities outside of core requirements such as Advanced Placement courses, Career and Technical education, and extracurricular activities, when districts are unable to fully develop a school year budget,” Dedrick added. Districts also have statutory and collective bargaining agreements setting forth strict notice timelines for layoffs. Whether these layoffs come to fruition could be affected by the timing and substance of final state budget decisions, but in the meantime, educators and other professionals may have their livelihood unnecessarily upended. Robert Lowry, Deputy Director of the Council noted, “This is the first late state budget district have had to grapple with since the tax cap was enacted and that makes this issue more challenging.” Lowry added “Many districts have already told their communities their projected tax levy increase, and in many circumstances, the proposal is less than the allowable levy limit. The uncertainty caused by a late state budget could lead districts to seek larger tax increases or even pursue a tax cap over-ride as a hedge against this uncertainty.” The Council shares the concerns of state policymakers regarding the uncertainty surrounding the federal budget and its potential impact on the state’s financial picture. But uncertainty should not freeze the state from enacting a budget. continued… WWW.NYSCOSS.ORG
Council News Release – Budget Extender until May 31 April 3, 2017 “Delaying state budget adoption for nearly two months may not clear away clouds of uncertainty, as we will only have some additional information about the President’s proposal and Congressional reactions, but will still be months away from the potential enactment of that proposal,” Lowry explained. The Council urges the Executive and the Legislature to reach accord on the budget by no later than mid-April and provide an adequate increase in Foundation Aid to help ensure a sustainable future for our schools. ###
The New York State Council of School Superintendents is a professional and advocacy organization with over a century of service to school superintendents and assistant superintendents in New York State. The Council provides more than 800 members with professional development opportunities, publications and personal support while advocating for public education and the superintendency.
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