Budget Cuts Hit District Schools

The school year just started, but the New Rochelle School Board of Education and Superintendent Richard Organisciak said they are already working to minimize the impact of further potential cuts in next year's program on the district's 11,000 students.

With much of the federal money commitments set to expire in 2011— initial federal stimulus money was a two-year gift— and no sum guaranteed from the federal Race To the Top program, the Board of Education will ask for public and school-level input on how the district's funds are spent.

"We are already thinking about the budget for next year," said School Board President Sara Richmond. "[Cuts are likely to be] as bad, if not worse."

The New Rochelle school budget was cut $5 million this year, from $232 million to $227 million.

Richmond said the board strived to limit the cuts' impact to educational programming.

"That was a priority," she said. "I think we did pretty well. There may be an advanced placement class that had just six high school students in it that may or may not be offered now. We lost aides, lunch monitors, and two administrative positions. The most important thing is our core mission—education. We didn't want to sacrifice that and we will really try not to have that happen next year."

According to Richmond, because of the state financial crisis, federal money that would usually go to schools is being jeopardized.

The board anticipates visiting each city school to work with principals and administrators to identify where budget cuts can be made.  

"They know their schools the best and what they and their community values most," Richmond said.

Superintendent Richard Organisciak said he appreciated the feedback received from parents and community members when this year's budget decisions were made.

"They worked with us and helped us to understand what they valued most in our schools and we, in turn, did our best to preserve those areas," he said, "I believe we came away with decisions that were fair when it came to cuts and reductions. I encourage all parents to be involved," he said.

Even the nonprofit The New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence has taken a hit in the tough economy, said Susan S. Weisman, executive director.

 The fund  provides free agenda books to incoming high school freshman; an elementary school chess instruction program; support for the Museum of Arts and Culture; an SAT preparation course at a reduced cost and more.

"Since the Fund runs its programs mostly through private donations, the recent economic downturn has affected us, as it has affected other not-for-profit organizations," Weisman said. "The Fund's donations have decreased. We are doing our best to reduce spending on current programs so as not to have to eliminate any of them," she said.

Despite the tough recent times, Weisman remains positive about the future.

"The spirit of support among parents, alumni and members of the New Rochelle community has been amazing," she said. "As an inclusive organization, our doors are open to volunteers for committees and activities and welcome new ideas for fundraising, outreach and programs."