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Increasing costs, a loss of federal funds and tax cap issues have already saddled Wayland-Cohocton with a minimum $1.3 million structural deficit for next school year. To make ends meet will require another round of drastic cuts.
The first budget presentation was conducted during the board’s regular meeting Monday, and with it, Superintendent Michael Wetherbee brought a proposal to the board to trim the transportation department by roughly $60,000.
This savings would be realized by eliminating at least two drivers and by changing the student pick-up and drop-off policy.
Currently, New York state allows elementary students who live within a two-mile radius to walk to and from school. High school students who live within a three-mile radius may walk to and from school. Districts are penalized on state aid funds if they bus students who live within a mile and a half from school. This year, Wayland-Cohocton is being penalized $18,000.
Wetherbee proposed changing the district’s busing policy to not pick up or drop off any student in grades 5-12 who live within one mile of the school. All pre-k and elementary students would still be able to ride the bus regardless of where they live, according to his proposal.
This change would effect roughly 110 students, about five of whom live on town roads that do not have sidewalks.
The school board is expected to vote on the policy change at its next meeting Jan. 23. If they approve, then voter referendum is required.
State law requires a 45-day period between board approval and voter referendum. That means if the board approves, the public could vote March 13 at the soonest.
Wetherbee noted that although the busing proposal means two part-time drivers could be laid off, it could save one full-time position elsewhere.
The district is looking at laying off 26 staff members for next year. This year, 21 jobs were lost.
Regarding layoffs, Wetherbee will be sending recommendations on cuts to principals in the coming weeks. Principals will then have discussions with staff members, likely in February, on where the proposed staff cuts would likely take place.
The next budget presentation will focus on debt service.
Increasing costs, a loss of federal funds and tax cap issues have already saddled Wayland-Cohocton with a minimum $1.3 million structural deficit for next school year. To make ends meet will require another round of drastic cuts.
The first budget presentation was conducted during the board’s regular meeting Monday, and with it, Superintendent Michael Wetherbee brought a proposal to the board to trim the transportation department by roughly $60,000.
This savings would be realized by eliminating at least two drivers and by changing the student pick-up and drop-off policy.
Currently, New York state allows elementary students who live within a two-mile radius to walk to and from school. High school students who live within a three-mile radius may walk to and from school. Districts are penalized on state aid funds if they bus students who live within a mile and a half from school. This year, Wayland-Cohocton is being penalized $18,000.
Wetherbee proposed changing the district’s busing policy to not pick up or drop off any student in grades 5-12 who live within one mile of the school. All pre-k and elementary students would still be able to ride the bus regardless of where they live, according to his proposal.
This change would effect roughly 110 students, about five of whom live on town roads that do not have sidewalks.
The school board is expected to vote on the policy change at its next meeting Jan. 23. If they approve, then voter referendum is required.
State law requires a 45-day period between board approval and voter referendum. That means if the board approves, the public could vote March 13 at the soonest.
Wetherbee noted that although the busing proposal means two part-time drivers could be laid off, it could save one full-time position elsewhere.
The district is looking at laying off 26 staff members for next year. This year, 21 jobs were lost.
Regarding layoffs, Wetherbee will be sending recommendations on cuts to principals in the coming weeks. Principals will then have discussions with staff members, likely in February, on where the proposed staff cuts would likely take place.
The next budget presentation will focus on debt service.
