Governor Proposes Cut in Huntington’s State Aid
Governor David Paterson’s call to cut aid to New York’s public school districts by $686 million in the current budget year has Huntington School District officials huddling about how to handle such a reduction if it is enacted.
Mr. Paterson’s proposal would mean an estimated cut of $917,198 in Huntington’s aid in the 2009/10 school year. Such a large mid-year reduction is extremely problematic since the district made spending, tax and program decisions based on the state providing the aid it previously committed when the governor and legislature agreed on a budget last spring.
If Mr. Paterson’s proposal becomes reality, districts across the state will be faced with serious decisions concerning how to make-up for the loss in funding. Huntington Superintendent John J. Finello cautioned that dipping into reserves funds “will create consequences next year when the 2010/11 budget is developed” and when the district could very well be looking at an even larger cut in state aid as a result of New York’s continuing fiscal crisis.
Mr. Paterson has estimated the state’s current fiscal year deficit at $3 billion, but State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has said the deficit could reach as high as $4.1 billion. Next year’s deficit is projected to be many times greater than this year’s number and the estimated deficit over the next 42 months is pegged at more than $50 billion.
State legislative leaders have responded to Mr. Paterson’s budget cutting call by stating they intend to hold hearings over the next two weeks and are awaiting an updated financial report due by the end of October.
Huntington school executives will be looking at all budget areas for possible trimming, including the filling of vacancies, as they await further word from Albany on the most likely level of state aid reduction.
All graphics, photographs, and text appearing on the Huntington Public Schools home page and subsequent official web pages are protected by copyright. Redistribution or commercial use is prohibited without express written permission. Comments or Questions? email the Public Information Office