Canton schools eye job cuts, tax levy hike

CANTON — A proposed $24.3 million Canton Central School District 2010-11 budget would cut 12 jobs while hiking the tax levy by 4.1 percent.

The tentative spending plan would eliminate some elective classes in the music department and the district's aquaculture class, held at the St. Lawrence County Cornell Cooperative Extension fish farm.

Two sports teams — girls varsity hockey and boys junior varsity lacrosse — were also on a list of cuts Superintendent William A. Gregory presented to the school board Thursday evening.

The cuts are needed, he said, to close a projected $2.5 million budget shortfall, largely created by a loss of $1,023,000 in state aid that likely won't be restored by state lawmakers, he said.

The cuts would save the district an estimated $610,787. Job cuts included the layoff of the equivalent of 2.2 teaching positions, including a high school social studies teacher, a 0.7 music teacher, and a 0.5 technology position.

Four teaching assistant positions also would be cut for a savings of $156,332.

"The word is, there is no more money coming," Mr. Gregory said. "We can't just go to taxes. It's just not going to work in this economic environment."

Several of the 25 community members at the meeting, including several supporters of the girls varsity hockey team, urged the board to consider alternatives before wielding the budget ax.

Anita M. Francis, a Canton high school physical education teacher, said that during tough budget times in the past, all its teams were asked to cut 10 percent from their budget so that no particular team would have to be eliminated.

She disputed a report from Mr. Gregory stating that only four to six Canton girls would be playing on next year's hockey team because several younger girls who have not been eligible before are expected to try out.

"That number is false," Mrs. Francis said. "There's different ways to save across the board rather than just cut from a certain group of kids or program."

Other parents were there to voice support for the district's music program, which could lose electives such as jazz and vocal ensembles and theater tech class if the music teacher job is cut. Chorus for third- and fourth-graders also would be at risk.

"I know that position is easy pickings. Music and arts are often easy targets," said Steve Horwitz, co-chair of the Canton Music Friends. "This music program has been an enormous benefit to the community."

Ray G. Wilson, a community member, said district employees should consider taking a voluntary 1 percent salary decrease and contribute toward their health insurance premiums to save the district money.

"I think you need to look outside contractual obligations," he said.

School board member Olgierd J. "Augie" Weiss Jr. said collecting a 10 percent contribution from employees toward health insurance would generate an extra $500,000 for district coffers.

"It has to be done. Everybody else does it," Mr. Weiss said.

School Board President Barbara B. Beekman responded, "If only we could wave a magic wand and make that happen."

Mr. Horwitz also urged the board to consider changes to the employee health insurance plan as they begin to negotiate new union contracts.

"That would help immensely. I think it's time to revisit that issue," Mr. Horwitz said.

The board is scheduled to meet again April 1.

BIG CUTS COMING

The following cuts, and the projected savings, have been recommended in the 2010-11 proposed Canton Central School District budget. The savings include salaries, retirement and benefits.

■ Elementary teacher retirement, $92,594

/ Prekindergarten aide, layoff, $29,075

/ High school social studies teacher, layoff, $52,396

/ Bus driver job, retirement, $20,559

/ Four teaching assistants, layoffs, $156,332

/ Restructuring one teacher assistant job, $7,635

/ One library aide position, layoff, $31,591

/ Restructuring physical education job, retirement, $26,000

/ Special-ed position, restructuring, $70,565

/ 0.7 music teacher job, layoff, $46,097

/ 0.5 technology job, layoff, $34,243

/ Aquaculture, $19,500

/ Girls hockey team, $20,000

/ Boys junior varsity lacrosse team, $4,200