Message from the superintendent

Superintendent outlines 2009-10 budget development process

I would like to take this opportunity to update you on the City School District of Albany’s budget development process for the 2009-2010 budget.

As most everyone knows, we are facing the most serious fiscal challenges and deficits that any of us have ever experienced. In November, although the state’s budget was more than half a year away and details were unknown, we started speaking about the serious impact of the state’s budget deficit.

At that time, we took the following immediate steps:

1. Frozen the budget in non-essential spending areas

2. Re-evaulating all non-essential staff positions that are vacant

3. Re-deploying existing staff when necessary instead of filling vacant positions

4. Discontinuing overtime unless it relates to health, safety or emergency situations

We also have communicated general information about the impact of the governor’s proposed budget on the district’s budget. We have scheduled and held working meetings with every program and department supervisor and building principal to discuss program efficiencies.

I met recently with Mark Mishler, co-president of the Albany City Council PTA, and requested that the PTA assist us in designing a different format for providing information to our parents and community members, one that brings them into the discussion throughout the budget development process, rather than after the Board of Education has adopted the budget in the spring.

I also have met with the three union presidents for an initial exchange of information and ideas about the budget. Assistant Superintendent for Business Affairs Bill Hogan and I also have met with the City Council PTA to review the budget development process and provide general budget impact information.

At our Jan. 15 board meeting at William S. Hackett Middle School, the district provided a presentation regarding the progress in our academic performance. Traditionally, this presentation is one of the first steps in our budget development process.

As a result of the district’s Strategic Plan, we have defined performance goals that we all agree on and that served as the basis for this presentation. They also will continue to guide us in our budget development decisions.

We know that we will have to do things as we’ve never done before. However, one thing is certain – we will keep our focus on our students.

As in the past, maintaining a sound basic education for every student in every classroom will remain our first priority as we deliberate budget reductions.

The first draft budget will be presented at the March 3 board meeting at Albany High School. From now until then, at each board meeting (Feb. 3 at Albany High and Feb. 12 at Eagle Point Elementary School) we will be reviewing programs and strategies that drive us toward meeting our goals.

I welcome and encourage our parents and community members to continue to join us for those very important discussions, so that the proposed budget that we put forward to our community is one that we all can support.

Eva C. Joseph, Ed.D.

Superintendent