Community discusses areas of potential change for 2012-13 school year
Feb. 8, 2012—On Tuesday, Feb. 7, nearly 60 community members came together to learn more about the district's current financial situation and to share their thoughts and questions regarding a list of potential reductions for the upcoming school year.
"Tough Times: Tougher Choices" opened with a presentation by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marie Wiles and Assistant Superintendent for Business Neil Sanders that took a closer look at some of the challenges the district is facing including increasing costs, declining revenues and the new property tax levy cap. View the PowerPoint presentation (PDF) The presentation also outlined current rollover budget projections and introduced several areas where the district may be able to rethink, retool, and reorganize itself to best address student needs in these tough economic times.
During the second half of the evening, Community Conversation participants broke out into small groups to review a list of potential changes for 2012-13. View the small group worksheet (PDF)
Attendees were asked to respond to the following questions:
• Which items on the worksheet do you feel the district should definitely consider as we move forward with the budgeting process?
• Which items on the worksheet do you feel the district should NOT consider as we move forward with the budgeting process?
• For which items on the worksheet do you feel there is room for more discussion/exploration as we move forward with the budgeting process? Or are there other ideas that you feel the district has not yet considered?
To aid in their discussion, participants were also given a document outlining the district's rationale for placing all identified items on the worksheet. View the reduction rationale Document (PDF)
For more than an hour, the small groups discussed the pros and cons of possibly implementing the reductions listed on their worksheets. From parents and teachers to retirees and taxpayers with no particular affiliation to the district, participants each shared their unique perspectives on what is of highest value for our students and for our community. View a summary of comments collected during the small group work sessions (PDF)
Looking ahead
To date, more than 150 community members have participated in the district's Community Conversation events.
While there are no additional community conversation events scheduled at
this time, there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved in the
Guilderland Central School District budget process. From Board of Education
meetings to contacting your local elected officials, you can let your voice
be heard.
Learn more about how to get involved! (PDF)