44°
ARMONK, N.Y. "We've officially entered the budget season," said Ira Schulman, president of the Byram Hills School District Board of Education at the outset of the budget portion of Tuesday night's meeting, which set the stage for the board's 2012-2013 budget enactment process.
A series of budget hearings will follow, with the 2012-2013 budget to be adopted on April 3 before the budget vote takes place May 15.
On Tuesday night, Byram Hills Schools Superintendent Jackie Taylor opened the budget discussion by stating that schools would be asked to decrease expenses by 5 percent.
A fiscal trend analysis presented by Assistant Superintendent for Business and Management Services Gregory Carlson indicated that despite the 5 percent cuts, school expenses will rise by 3.6 percent in 2012-2013 to $81,483,045 due to debt service increases.
The bulk of the budget talks at Tuesday's meeting was reserved for the school principals who discussed how they would maintain their high standards despite cost cutting measures.
Carol Fisher, the Coman Hill principal, said cuts will be enacted to the administration, teacher, books and supplies, but "the budget continues to support education."
Deborah Cagliostro, the Wampus Hill principal, said there will be cuts in school supplies and fewer student enrollment but the school would continue to provide high quality education.
Evan Powderley, principal of HC Crittenden Middle School, said there will be cuts in supplies but spending for technology won't drop and "we will continue to maintain all our programs."Byram Hills High School principal Chris Borsari said the high school "will continue to provide what we've always provided. Kids continue to embrace learning in all its aspects and the budget continues to provide for diversity of student interest."
The budget development process includes budget hearings on March 13 and 20, which is the time citizens can suggest additions or deletions to the budget, Schulman said.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Armonk and receive free news updates.
