Governor's proposed budget has Monticello Schools slated to lose almost $2 million in state aid

December 2008

With the release of Governor David Paterson’s Executive Budget proposal, Monticello Schools must prepare to lose $1.9 million. The loss of this large amount of state aid for the 2009-10 school year, will now have to be factored in during the budget formation process. The proposed 6.48 percent loss in anticipated revenue from the state means the district must make deeper cuts than previously expected. Such budget cuts will be necessary to avoid shifting the burden to taxpayers.

Because education is a people-intensive business, almost three-quarters of the district’s budget is devoted to the salary and benefits of personnel. We recognize that a reduction in state aid of this magnitude will most likely force us to reduce staffing. But, that’s not all. Every corner of the budget and every viable option will have to be carefully analyzed to figure out how we can get through these difficult economic times and still maintain the integrity of our educational programs.

Monticello’s educational programs have seen a lot of growth in recent years with the implementation of the academy structure at the high school, the introduction of the Project Lead the Way pre-engineering program and the move towards making our elementary schools a part of the world-renowned International Baccalaureate program.

In anticipation of a state aid reduction, the district has already implemented a budget freeze for the current year, reorganized the transportation system and renegotiated contracts with some outside vendors.

We know that many of our families are struggling to survive and we are committed to do whatever necessary to not add to that burden. Now, more that ever, we need the support of our community to help us work out a practical plan and make the difficult choices required to get through this financial crisis.