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BACK to Grapevine HOME | Shen HOME BUDGET
Posted on May 10, 2010 Please answer the following questions in advance of the upcoming budget vote: 1. Are there regulations regarding what faculty members can/cannot say to students about the upcoming budget vote? 2. If so, who dictates such restrictions (the district, the state education dept?). Thank you for your answer.
Posted on June 1, 2010 How many registered voters are in the district?
Posted on May 13, 2010 I have two children in school and support their education, but school taxes are out of control. How do you expect people to keep paying more and more?
Posted on September 15, 2010 I have read that the use of school credit cards are often abused and a common source of corruption. Does Shen provide credit cards for school employees to purchase needed items? Or do employees use purchase orders or get reimbursed after using their personal credit cards? Thank you.
Posted on June 22, 2011 Recommended courses were sent home in the middle school, and I noticed my 8th grader won't have Art? I checked Grapevine archives and it said Art (among others) has been "reduced" at the 8th grade level. Does that mean eliminated? I was surprised parents were not told. Where can we find a list of all the things that are being cut next year? Thanks!
With budget reductions this year, Art 8 was eliminated . Students were able to register for Studio Art with recommendation from their Art teacher, it is a full year, credit bearing course which can enroll approximately 75 8th graders. Please contact the school counselor and or Mr. Rosselli to obtain more information on studio art.
Posted on June 13, 2011 So how much money was in the budget to pay for the budget vote exit poll, 124 page results report, and time Shen administrators will put into overanalyzing i
Nothing. It was conducted by the public information office with existing resources. The district has conducted the exit poll for the past 16 years.
Posted on June 13, 2011 The BOE gave the administrators a retroactive pay raise that was hidden from the public until after the budget vote?? So a pay freeze is actually a raise? What a farce!! You should all be held civilly and criminally liable.
No. A pay freeze is a pay freeze for 2011-12. The administrators' contract expired last June (2010). The district has been in negotiations with them this entire school year. The budget that residents approved last year for 2010-11 included an estimated salary increase for administrators (the 1.5% fell within that estimate) based on what the board wanted to negotiate. In March, independent of negotiations, the board requested that all employees voluntarily take a salary freeze for next year the 2011-12. The administrators announced at a public meeting that they would do so, so no increase for 2011-12 was budgeted for administrators. Negotiations are not made public for ANY bargaining unit until the board ratifies the contract. That was done at its meeting in June and the district posted it on the website and sent out a press release for all to see.
Posted on May 12, 2011 If- God forbid- our budget is voted down, what will have to be taken OUT in order to comply with the contingency model? And what, if anything, could be added back IN?
Nothing gets put back in. Student supplies, community use of buildings and grounds and equipment expenses come out.
Posted on May 12, 2011 If the budget passes then taxes will still go up. If the budget doesn't pass then taxes will still go up and the teachers will still get a raise, but the administrators and monitors and aides will NOT get a raise......Is this correct.?
The tax impact will be comparable if the budget passes or fails simply because the proposed budget is already below the state mandated contingency budget limit. The impact of a failed budget on compensation depends on the contractual status of the various employees. Aides, monitors, clerical, custodial, transportation, and other types of support personnel are a part of the CSEA bargaining unit, which has a contract through June 2012. Subsequently, those individuals will receive their contractual salary adjustments. The teacher's contract expires by the end of June 2011. The district is currently negotiating with that group. Pursuant to the Taylor Law and the Triborough Amendment, teachers are eligible for a step adjustment. As for building level administrators, their contract expired in June 2010, and to date a new contract has yet to be ratified, so until that occurs their compensation will be held flat since they do not have a salary step schedule. However, those administrators have agreed to a pay freeze for 2011-12. All other employees such as district-level administrators and supervisors, as well as management confidential clerical support staff, are not under a contract, subsequently would not receive a raise with a failed budget, nor will they with a passed budget since those individuals agreed to a pay freeze.
Posted on May 12, 2011 Would a contingency budget save jobs? Please answer before the budget vote. Thank you.
No. The budget proposal is below the state contingent cap. That means that if the budget is defeated, we start at the proposed budget and take out non-contin gent items such as equipment and supplies.
Posted on May 12, 2011 I read in the Community News that the teachers offered to take a salary freeze and the district turned it down, is this true?
When the board passed the resolution requesting a salary freeze for 2011-12 it stated that while the freeze would reduce the number of position reductions, it could not offer a quid pro quo (salary freeze on the condition that their were no cuts) to any group. The total increase in salaries for 2011-12 is approximatey $2.3 million. The the loss in state aid is approximately $6 million making reductions still necessary.
Posted on May 12, 2011 Talk to us! If the budget that is being put up for vote is BELOW the contingency budget - explain why we should vote yes for it! The current budget excludes lower paying positions that directly impact our children while spending money on administrators but who and what does the contingency budget impact? Please explain and educate all of us since the Board forgot to!
You vote for the budget if you believe that the proposed amount is a worthwhile investment in our kids. The budget isn't about a person's like or dislike of support staff versus teachers versus administrators. Everyone in the organization has equally important role in their own right...from the driver who ensures the safe passage; to the cook who provides nutritious meals; to the cleaner who ensures an environment conducive to learning; to the administrator who manages student schedules and discipline, manages state assessments, evaluates staff and maintains the building budget;to the teacher who engages in innovative pedagogy; to the monitor who preserves the safety and sanctity of hall ways and school yards. The school district is effective because of the synergy of all the parts. So, people vote because the end result demonstrated over the years from the investment in tax dollars has been extremely positive. Excellent schools means strong communities and even brighter futures for generations of children.
Posted on May 4, 2011 When budget and union negotiations are being done, who is there representing the taxpayers?
The board of education is elected by and represents the community in both the budget and contractual negotiations.
Posted on May 4, 2011 Now that the official budget has been adopted, is there any way to find out exactly what the carefully crafted phrasing in the budget announcement will mean when implemented? For example, exactly what changes will be made to the core curriculum and what will the "revamping" of the program of studies entail? What school-specific positions have been eliminated? Thank you
Changes made to the core curriculum-The state education
department is in the process of revising state standards and
corresponding assessments, with an initial focus on ELA and
mathematics. Subsequently, Shen has began efforts to effectively
map the curriculum to meet those standards, as well as develop
plans to provide the necessary professional development to
ensure that teachers can effectively meet the demands of the
enhanced curriculum, subsequently, ensuring student success and
achievement.
Posted on April 6, 2011 If we are cutting teachers, aides and other expenses why not let sports go dark! No sports under the lights for 1 year.
Posted on April 14, 2011 I was wondering if Shen has considered adding a second "grapevine" of sorts to answer questions specific to the current budget crisis and one for answers regarding all other questions?
No.
Posted on April 7, 2011 To the board: Use of the restored state funding should go to the Fund Balance. To increase spending this year, only pushes into next year and even worse budget to balance. Make the cuts now to lower the year over year burden.
Posted on April 7, 2011 ther school districts are cutting sports rather than layoffs. Lansingburgh is cutting off Freshman sports to avoid losing staff. What is more important? Obviously Lansingburgh is smarter than Shenendehowa. Also the comment on the pool. How did we function for years without the pool? That answer you replied makes no sense. SHEN NEEDS TO GO BACK TO BASICS. These answers are insulting to the taxpayers. Answer us with some respect....After all we pay your salaries.
Posted on April 7, 2011 While I'm not saying the pool should be closed can't help but question your recent answer about it being an essential space to meet the gym needs of the three middle schools. Let's be honest the middle schools have been able to meet their needs for many years before the pool was built. While I'm glad it is being utilized by gym classes and I'm sure makes it easier utilizing limited apace really question how the responder can say all of a sudden it is now next to impossible to schedule gym class for all the middle school students without it.
Posted on April 7, 2011 You didn't answer the question: what does it cost to maintain the pool?
Posted on April 6, 2011 On Friday, April 1 I sent a message re: cost of maintaining the pool and how many staff that annual cost would save. I have not seen any answer to this. Oh, and BTW, I sent a similar email to our state representatives. It is outrageous that the school board would lay off staff while keeping a pool. Maybe you need to take a page out of the RCS School system..they are closing theirs because of cost.
Posted on April 6, 2011 Is it possible for a NYS school district to declare bankruptcy? In particular, would doing so relieve the district and taxpayers of these "contractual obligations" in place and allow a wholesale renegotiation of ALL contracts without concern for the Triborough Amendment to the Taylor Law?
Posted on April 6, 2011 I have not seen a response to my posting so I will ask again. I'm all for supporting budget cuts but why should non-instructional employees who were just hired this school year be safe from layoffs when other non-instructional employees who have been employed longer with the district are losing there jobs?? It only seems fair and makes more sense to place the non-instructional employees who have been employed longer in the positions of the non-instructional employees who were just hired. Can someone try and explain this or do you need more time to figure out an explanation???
Posted on March 21, 2011 I saw that the Board of Education adopted a resolution seeking a voluntary salary freeze for all district employees. What exactly does this mean? Who has to approve this after the Board adopts it?
This is the way a board can formalize a request to collective bargaining units. Each union must now decide to what degree, if any, they will respond. The goal is to seek out multiple ways to save money or contain costs in order to minimize the need to cut programs.
Posted on March 29, 2011 ARE YOU ELIMINATING ALL SCHOOL CLUBS AND EXTRA-CURICULAR PROGRAMS NEXT YEAR? Can teachers still agree to be advisors even if they are not paid extra to do so?
No. We currently have funds budgeted for 375 extra curricular units. We are cutting 49 extracurricular units leaving 332 units per the Shenendehowa Teachers Association contract. The number of units varies from club to club.
Posted on March 29, 2011 I heard during the Board Meeting that ALL clerical positions will be restructured. I also see that 18 clerical jobs stand to be reduced as does 23 aides/monitor jobs. These are both one of the lowest paid positions in the district. Why not target the high paying Administrative jobs? There are far too many Administrators keeping their jobs. You are going about this the wrong way if you are trying to save money. You might be surprised to find you need the support positions more than you need the administrators to run a school efficiently.
From the 2010-11 budget approved by voters to the proposed 2011-12 budget the line item for administrative salaries is decreasing by 7.41%, for instructional salaries it is decreasing by 4.11% and for non-instructional salaries it is increasing by 1.16%.
Posted on March 29, 2011 Your recent response is incorrect. Please let the community know the truth. It is true that administrators accepted a pay freeze for the 2011-2012 school with the promise that there would be no lay offs. In addition, administrators are receiving a 1.5% increase for 2012-2013. The teachers asked for the same deal (pay freeze in return for no lay offs), and were told no.
The district has not and will not offer any bargaining group a quid pro quo--no reduction in staff for a salary freeze, period. The budget shortfall is too deep. All unions were asked the same thing and were made aware of the impact of a salary freeze concession. Not only does it significantly minimize the number of positions needed to be eliminated while preserving programs and services to students, but it also sends a clear message that we are all part of the solution. As for the pay increase, the contract for administrators, once ratified and approved by the board, is public information and will be published on the website.
Posted on March 28, 2011 According to the Powerpoint shown at the Board meeting on March 22, there will be no reduction in Administrative staff for the 2011-2012 school year. The positions listed at the Board meeting were for the 2010-2011 school year. In light of the fact that so many employees are losing their jobs, or being warned of possible job elimination, it doesn't seem logical that there are no administrators being eliminated this year. With all of the proposed layoffs of teachers and support staff, everyone in the trenches will be working harder to cover the gaps. It seems only fair that there should be some concessions (beyond pay freezes!) at the top. Are there ANY administrative positions being CUT from this year's budget?
Last May, voters approved a budget that included administrative positions cuts for this school year (those cuts were academic administrator for guidance, music, special education and math). If you look at the calendar for the 2010-11 school year, you will see that three positions were listed as TBD (academic administrator for social studies, fine arts and physical education) because of vacancies that occurred over the summer. Knowing that two of those positions would probably be cut for the 2011-12 school year, the district decided not to fill them, but the positions are still carried on the books. They are being eliminated for 2011-12.
Posted on March 24, 2011 Maybe as a cost reducer Shen could eliminate some administrators. There are many of them and they are all paid a lot. It seems many just over lap jobs and really there is no need for them.
Every employee serves a purpose with very specific job descriptions on file in our human resources department. There are jobs that need to be done and we need qualified people to do them. As far as reducing administrative costs, the line item for administrative salaries for 2011-12 is decreased by 7.41%.The line item for instructional salaries is decreased by 4.11%.
Posted on March 24, 2011 Is it true that last year there were teacher layoffs and no administration layoffs? I heard an administrator, now at the district office, was put into a NEW position over the summer and got a pay raise. Last night at the budget meeting there was no talk of layoffs of administration yet again. I have seen the growth of administration at Shen and the decline of amount of teachers, secretaries, custodians etc.
While teaching positions were eliminated last year, there were no teacher layoffs. Positions were reduced through retirements. In the past two years, 7 administrative positions have been eliminated through retirements. Administrators agreed to a salary freeze to mitigate reductions in 2011-12.
Posted on March 24, 2011 I know a huge issue with the budget is pension expense. Can you explain if the district can do anything to control this amount. Do employees hired 30 years ago get the same benefits when retiring as those hired this year?
There are multiple tiers in the New York State Retirement System with varying benefit structures. Those who are retiring now are generally Tier 2. A large majority of our existing staff is Tier 4 with the most recent hires in Tier 5. The rates and the benefit structure are set the state and regulated by legislation.
Posted on March 21, 2011 Who would I have to contact to discuss/petition certain budget cuts?
The superintendent.
Posted on April 7, 2011 The complete draft of the 2011-12 budget that was presented to the board of Education on 3/22/11 identifies the elimination of three coed sports. The Grapevine comment posted on March 30, 2011 asked which three co-ed sports will be eliminated in next year's budget. The response was gymnastics, cross country skiing and alpine skiing. Isn't gymnastics a female sporting program? With no similar cut being made to a male sporting program, doesn't this create the appearance of a lack of sensitivity by school officials to ensure gender equity in athletic opportunities ?
Posted on April 8, 2011 With all of the teacher layoffs, staff layoffs, and special education aide layoffs... Has the district considered having a full-time athletic trainer to be more of a luxury? Why are vital positions being cut from the educational process, when an athletic trainer is on paid staff?
Posted on May 12, 2011 Please help us to understand how come the contingent budget is higher than the proposed budget when you say the contingent budget is calculated by starting with the proposed budget and then cutting out non contingent items.
By law, the contingent budget caps the increase in spending for 2011-12 at 1.77%. The actual spending increase in spending for the proposed budget is only 1.72%. So it is already below the cap. However, also by law, if a proposed budget is under the cap and the budget fails, the proposed budget becomes the cap minus non-contingent expenses such as equipment, use of facilities, school supplies, etc.
Posted on May 13, 2011 Can someone who is a resident of Shen vote on the budget if they are not a registered voter?
Yes. No registration is required, just bring a photo id.
Posted on June 3, 2011 My daughter hopes to try out for the Varsity Gymnastics team next year, but hears it may be cut. Is this a fact, or just a rumor? Thanks, the grapevine is a great resource!
Varsity Gymnastics was cut from the budget due to low numbers and only five schools left in the section to compete against.
Posted on June 23, 2011 Were arrangements made for deployed soldiers to vote in the budget vote? Or in any vote pertaining to the district?
Soldiers can receive absentee ballots by mail.
Posted on February 8, 2010 Can you please explain the "mandated increase in retirement costs of more than $2 million dollars"? What is mandated, by who, and why is there an increase? Thanks!
Posted on February 8, 2010 It is interesting that the school district's fund balance has become a topic of discussion when it represents less than 4% of the total budget. I am sure that most households have at least 5 times that amount in reserve for "rainy days". Look at the Town of Clifton Park, it has over $14 million dollars in reserve, gained from sales taxes. Why can't the district get some of the sales taxes?
Posted on December 21, 2010 In the 2010-11 budget there are a lot of line items labeled as 'Longevity.' What are these?
Posted on December 21, 2010 In the 2010-2011 budget there is an item, A 2110.473, described as 'Charter Schools.' What is this money used for?
Posted on March 24, 2009 Has the district considered selling advertising space on school buses as a means of generating additional revenue? Nationally this has been done and when done tastefully, it has proven useful to increasing school funds.
Yes, but it is prohibited in New York State.
Posted on April 8, 2009 Has Shenendehowa considered putting advertisements on the school website to generate revenue?
It has been discussed, but it is prohibited by law.
Posted on March 11, 2008 Why is the school using its money on sports programs instead of school supplies? Why are the teachers being forced to pay for there own basic supplies?
Sports, like the numerous other extra-curricula activities in art, music, drama or otherwise, is a vital part of the overall educational experience. We are proud to say that a large majority of our athletes (in fact, typically more than 90%) are identified as scholar athletes . The skills learned on the athletic field - leadership, teamwork, risk-taking, determination, persistence, tolerance, humility, motivation and price - are live long skills. Teachers are not forced to purchase school supplies.
Posted on May 28, 2009 How much does it cost to use the sports fields lights for night games?
There is no way to determine it or get that specific with electrical costs.
Posted on May 15, 2009 If the budget is voted down, will there be a second vote on a lower proposed budget or will the district automatically go to contingency budget for next year? Thank you in advance if you post this BEFORE the vote next week.
If the budget is voted down, the board of education has a couple of options: they can put the same budget up for a second vote, they can reduce the budget and put it up for a second vote or they can automatically go to a contingency budget. A contingency budget would be the proposed budget minus non-contingent items.
Posted on May 13, 2009 I just heard some people say that they are voting down the budget because the contingency budget provides more money and we wouldn't have to eliminate positions. Is that true?
NO. According to the state education department, a contingency budget must be the budget a district initially presents to voters for authorization minus non-contingent items. We are proposing a $147 million budget. In a contingency situation we would have to start with that figure and eliminate all non-contingent expenses such as student supplies, community use of buildings and grounds, certain equipment purchases and certain salary increases. What people are talking about being higher is the contingency cap but we are not allowed to go up to that because we have presented a lower amount for authorization.
Posted on May 19, 2008 I heard it costs 3 times as much to educate a special education student. Where does all the money go? Smaller classes? Computers? Aides?
As a district in a public school system, we strive to provide the highest level of education for all of our students--regardless of their abilities or disabilities. The “money” to meet the needs of a special education student may include occupational therapy, physical therapy, behavioral/psychological services, speech, consultant teacher services, adaptive technology, aide support, or modified instructional resources. However, the uniqueness and varied degree of use of these provisions makes it infeasible to generalize costs across a large number of students.
Posted on March 18, 2008 Does the district receive additional funding from the state or federal government for students in the AIS program?
No. The AIS mandate does not come with additional funding. However, the district receives some federal assistance for remediation services that are generally complementary to AIS provisions, but are limited to only certain categories of economically disadvantaged students.
Posted on December 19, 2008 Why does Shen spend money on private schools? They spend money busing the private school kids, to their private school even though they are not in Shen. And you stated on here that "Shenendehowa supplies many of those students with textbooks, transportation and support services." Why is that? If these private school students think that they can get a better education else where, then they should pay for it themselves. Shen shouldn't be taking the tab for students that don't go here. With the current budget crisis its idiotic to spend money on other schools. Shen should be spending that money on their own students, not others. That is ridiculous.
The statement says "By law, Shen supplies..." The reason it is the law is because the parents of private school students pay school taxes as well.
Posted on November 20, 2008 What % of Shen's income comes from the state? What % is from local school taxes paid by property owners? How much less aid does the district anticipate getting due to recent state cuts and how does this compare to total income received by the District? How much of the overall Shen Expense budget is expected to have to be cut due to this?
Approximately 28-30% of revenues comes in the form of state aid (6% of that is expense-driven aid...building, buses, BOCES), 65-68%% from property taxes and the rest from other sources (interest, Medicaid reimbursements, etc.).
Posted on May 29, 2008 Can someone please explain why there is a separate line item for new buses each year when the school budget comes up for a vote? It seems that with a fleet as large as Shen's replacement and repair expenses should be part of the normal operating budget.
Bus purchases are bonded (loan) over a five year period. By law, the district needs voter approval for bonding.
Posted on May 29, 2008 Does the vote now mean that the children all get new buses or something else?
No. The bus replacement plan that was approved by voters replaces 19 aging buses with new buses out of a fleet of approximately 200 buses.
Posted on May 8, 2008 Regarding the budget vote, what criteria do you have to meet to vote? Do you need to register somewhere? Just show an ID with an address in the district?
To vote in a school district election you must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years or older and a district resident for at least 30 days prior to the vote. No pre-registration is required. Personal identification is required.
Posted on May 30, 2008 If the District wants to encourage full community participation at budget votes shouldn't it consider parking accessibility, especially considering the needs of our senior citizens and disabled community members? Yesterday the district had Skano, Tesago and Orenda concerts, Jr. Honor Society at Koda and at Gowana (the building of the budget vote) a chorus/band concert. In addition to that, community soccer was taking place on every available green space. While there may be value in having families \ come to school property to see their students AND vote, is the district trying to prevent "older" citizens without school age children the opportunity to access the building?
The campus is indeed a busy place. Hence, numerous parking spots are reserved for voters. However, the district is investigating the feasibility of doing multiple voting locations.
Posted on March 5, 2008 Wouldn't it save the district money if all computers and monitors were required to be shut down before staff leaves the rooms or building for the day. If so, why is this not stressed?
Most systems in the district are shutdown at night. Having said that, it can be better communicated to staff and students the importance of doing so. First, it does in fact conserve power and save the district money. Second, it provides increased protection against an electrical surge if one occurred overnight. Third, it provides a "clean slate" for the days work when turned on the next morning. We will work to improve this communication going forward.
Posted on February 6, 2008 When school is in session is it true that the district is paid by the state for the amount of students who are attending and are not absent for the day?
Attendance used to figure into the state aid calculation, but it no longer does. Now the foundation aid formula uses enrollment data to calculate the district's operating aid. It looks at the number of enrolled students and the number of days that the school is in session. Other factors are figured in such as the CPI (consumer price index), regional cost factures, pupil need index, etc.
Posted on March 10, 2009 Why do taxpayers in Clifton Park/Halfmoon not get to vote on the positions that we would like to see up for removal? Our voice should be heard by voting - many believe that the positions should start from the top down. The Shen. District is VERY top heavy. Two elementary school principals per conjoined schools - not necessary! Eight secondary principals in the high school? How many in the middle school? What about all the administrators? The voters should know the salaries that could be saved at this level alone. But the district keeps allowing all these new homes to be built but wants to remove the teachers and the aide positions and up our school taxes over 8% to boot! Something is wrong with this picture! Let the taxpayer vote on the positions with open eyes on what positions are being taken!
By law, the district communicates a detailed budget and residents in Clifton Park, Halfmoon, Malta, Waterford, Ballston and Stillwater vote whether or not to authorize the spending plan. Staffing is part of the overall spending plan.
Posted on February 25, 2009 Why is it that you can always justify the positions of administrators both at the high school level and the District office, yet when it comes to hiring teachers, you do not see the need? Isn't this going to impact all aspects of the students educational experience?
The district must justify every position publicly every year during the annual school budget vote. The district employs more than 800 faculty members, so it definitely recognizes the need for hiring teachers. As far as restructuring staff to meet the current economic climate, we are looking at restructuring/reducing positions that would have the least impact on students and we are looking to do as much of it as possible through attrition (retirements, reassignment, etc.)
Posted on February 20, 2009 I believe there are many positions that the district could get rid of to lower our property taxes and deal with the state's reduction in aid. There are too many administrators and "extra" positions that are not needed. Please look to getting rid of these before getting rid of classroom teachers.
These are extremely difficult times and our employees are extremely anxious over the decisions that lie ahead. As we move forward, when talking about positions to "get rid of," let's keep in mind that these are people we are talking about. These are our neighbors, whether they live in our community or the surrounding communities. These are people with families to support, children to feed and mortgages to pay. They are local property taxpayers and state/federal income taxpayers. They are consumers who support local businesses. Every employee plays an important role within the district. There is not one position to be cut that won't impact services to students in some way as well as have a direct impact on the local community and economy.
Posted on April 1, 2009 Why does each building have a full time employee in the "copy" room to do copying for teachers? I think this is a HUGE waste of money (salaries) when we are forced to make teacher cut backs ... why can't the teachers make their own "copies" (like they used to do!) and free up quite a bit of money (somewhere in the vicinity of 9 full time employees WITH BENEFITS) in salaries for these "aides."
The district has assigned faculty typists to assist teachers with a number of tasks, not just copying. Joint elementary buildings share a faculty typist and the off-campus elementary schools (Okte, Chango) have 0.5 FTE assigned faculty typist.
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