MY TURN By David Eaton

Warwick’s 2010-11 school budget represents shared community values Last year the Board of Education agreed on two principles as we began our work on the next school budget: to work in a transparent way and to garner community input in what we do. If there’s ever been a year for us to focus on that transparent and community-inspired work, this was that year. As you know, this has been a very difficult year in education in New York due to major cutbacks in state aid. This was the year to ask for public input through surveys and forums. After hearing from so many of you, we felt we had an improved understanding of community values regarding education and have a budget that we think represents those values in the face of a serious loss of revenue. Education programs intact I’m proud of the team approach this board has taken in considering all aspects and options of various budget scenarios. The budget ultimately arrived at, with the help of community members, the school superintendent and the district’s education professionals, is one that cuts spending in all areas in which we have some control while keeping the education program intact. We were able to pare this proposed budget down to a spending increase of just .91 percent - a 3.67 percent increase in the tax levy. If the state comes through in the eleventh hour with additional aid for next year, the tax levy will be reduced accordingly. Attrition and ‘austerity’ How were we able to do this while the state reduced our aid by $1.4 million and contractual obligations and mandated expenses continue to rise? Luck and circumstances played a role - decreasing enrollment allowed us to reduce staff without hurting students. Most of the decrease in staff will be through attrition - not replacing retiring teachers. Additionally, after looking at every possible area of the budget for savings, we acted to pare some things down to an “austerity” level immediately, so that the budget that’s being put before the voters on May 18 is just $600,000 more than a contingency budget would be - a figure that represents just seven-tenths of a percent of the total budget. All nine board members and Superintendent Dr. Raymond Bryant strongly support this proposed budget for 2010-11 and feel that it is the best option for keeping spending increases at a minimum and keeping the education program on track. The Board of Education urges you to vote on May 18. And regardless of which way you choose to cast your ballot, I would like to thank you for your support of the Board and especially for the input of the many community members who stepped forward to offer their ideas and opinions. Transparency The proposed budget for 2010-11 is truly a community budget, built on community input and dialogue. The idea sharing, transparency and requests for community involvement will continue. The budget process for 2011-12 will begin shortly after the May vote on the 2010-11 budget. The Board of Education will make sure the community members that we represent - our neighbors - have the chance to participate and have their voices heard in the important work of determining the future of education in Warwick. David Eaton is the President of the 2009-10 Board of Education of the Warwick Valley Central School District.