Voters approve 2009-10 budget plan

$203.8 million proposal approved by 64 percent of voters

Voters approved the City School District of Albany's proposed 2009-10 budget of $203.8 million by a wide margin Tuesday, with nearly two-thirds saying "yes" to a spending plan that cuts $2.9 million from the current year's budget in the face of the state and nation’s fiscal crisis.

The budget passed by a vote of 2,580-1,464, or a 64 percent-36 percent spread.

The budget carries a 2.55 percent tax levy increase and is about $7.9 million below the district’s state-calculated contingency budget cap.

“This has been the most challenging budget development process our district has faced in many years,” said Board of Education President Barbara Gaffuri, who in her 12^th year is the board’s longest-tenured member.

"We are so proud in Albany to offer so many programs, and to be able to maintain nearly all of them was a primary focus for the district while also recognizing our responsibility to our taxpayers. We are so grateful that the taxpayers believe in this school district and our children."

Expenditures are being held flat or decreased on 76 percent of the line items. However, the district will face higher expenses in the areas of charter school payments and employee benefits.

Despite the proposed reductions, the budget maintains virtually all of the district’s existing programs, services and opportunities.

"Once again our parents and our community demonstrated their support for Albany's public schools, and we are very appreciative," said Superintendent Eva C. Joseph, Ed.D.  

The budget represents an estimated increase of $41 per 100,000 of assessed value for city residents. Due to the reduction in STAR aid passed by the Legislature, those with Basic STAR will see an additional one-time increase of $53 and seniors with Enhanced STAR will see an additional one-time increase of $97 in 2009-10.

The budget calls for the elimination of 113.6 jobs. That includes 11 percent of the administrative workforce (six positions), 7.2 percent of the support staff (46.8 positions) and 6.8 percent of the teaching workforce (60.8 positions).

More than three-quarters of the teaching positions proposed for elimination will be realized from the discontinuation of the middle school program at Philip Livingston Magnet Academy, as well as changes in course scheduling at Albany High School and in the delivery of some special education services.

Community feedback on the proposed budget in advance of the vote was welcome. The district held numerous budget presentations throughout the community, including the following dates:

After reducing next year’s spending plan below the “zero-growth” level during the budget development process in March, the district further reduced the proposed tax levy while also restoring some proposed cuts due to an additional $1.15 million in state aid and an anticipated $2.4 million in savings from the freeze on charter school tuition approved by the state in early April. 

The budget anticipates $26 million in payments to charter schools in 2009-10. 

Proposed job cutbacks the board restored April 6 were two guidance counselor positions at Albany High. The budget proposal would maintain guidance staffing at the current level at the high school.

The board also voted to restore district-wide funding for field trips and teacher expenses for professional conferences.

One of the few significant program changes proposed for 2009-10 is a restructuring of foreign language at the elementary and middle school levels. Foreign language instruction is being eliminated through grade 5 and will be strengthened at the middle school level.

The new proposal will consolidate the introduction of a foreign language – Spanish or French – in sixth grade for all students, providing the equivalent of instruction three times a week for 20 weeks, or half the school year.

Students in grades 7 and 8 will continue to receive foreign language every day for the full school year.