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GREENBURGH, N.Y. – The proposed 2012-13 budget for Greenburgh Central School District 7 calls for no cuts in teaching positions or programs and will not increase taxes more than 2.5 percent.
The $58.6 million spending plan was released last week to the community and is scheduled to be adopted by the board of education April 3. The public vote is May 15 at Woodlands High School. In the meantime, public forums on the budget will be held March 8 at Highview Elementary School at 7 p.m., March 15 at Woodlands High School at 7 p.m., March 22 at Lee F. Jackson Elementary School at 7 p.m., March 28 at Richard J. Bailey Elementary School at 7 p.m. and March 31 at the Greenburgh Public Library at 10:30 a.m.
"The budget was formulated with input from the community in consultation with the board and accomplishes our common ultimate goal of preserving educational programs for the children," said interim Superintendent of Schools Ronald Ross. "We will continue to participate with our community and the board of education in refining and enhancing this plan. The education of our children is our first priority."
Spending in the tentative budget increases 2.2 percent over this year's ledger, despite increases in several mandated areas, such as workers' compensation (20 percent), employees retirement (18 percent), health insurance (9.6 percent) and teachers' retirement (6.5 percent).
If the budget is not approved by voters in May, district officials said more than $1 million would have to be cut from the budget in a contingency budget, resulting most likely in the elimination of some programs and teaching staff.
Comments (3)
most Greenburgh schools operate entirely inefficiently with over inflated budgets 10-20 times the national average. while there are some REALLY good schools in this town there are also quite a few that are terrible and are terrible on huge budgets. close them down. it's like pouring money down a hole to nowhere
As long as I've lived in GC7 (21 years) there has been an increase in the budget every, single year and NEVER any cuts of significance to any of the bloated budget lines. EVER
As President of the Greenburgh Central School District # 7 Board of Education, I invite housemusic3 and tootired to attend one or more of our budget forums to discuss their concerns and suggestions.
Forum dates and times are March 8 at Highview Elementary School at 7 p.m., March 15 at Woodlands High School at 7 p.m., March 22 at Lee F. Jackson Elementary School at 7 p.m., March 28 at Richard J. Bailey Elementary School at 7 p.m. and March 31 at the Greenburgh Public Library at 10:30 a.m.
Also, it you prefer, you can contact me and Mr. Ross to discuss your suggestions privately. The following link contains my contact information, http://www.greenburgh7.com/site_res_view_template.aspx?id=73f4c643-10cd-42ba-8e02-1b0f6ffe59ce
I look forward to seeing you at one of the forums or hearing from you.
Terry Williams, President
Board of Education
Greenburgh Central School District #7