Region 14 Board of Ed Lowers Budget Increase In Response to Residents' Concerns

on the proposed 2012-13 Region 14 Board of Education budget and at the Monday, April 2, public hearing, it was the residents' turn.

The Region 14 Board of Education heard from five people who felt Superintendent Jody Goeler's 2012-13 budget, at a 3.47-percent increase over the 2011-12 budget, was too high.

They also heard from two people who felt the time to invest in Region 14 is long overdue.

After approximately one hour of deliberation, the Board of Ed voted 7-1 to modify the superintendent's budget and remove the costs associated with a district-wide maintenance worker, a paraprofessional at Woodbury Middle School and to reduce the assistant superintendent position to that of a director of curriculum.

Those reductions amount to approximately $90,000, Board of Ed member Maryanne Van Aken said. Gary Suslavich cast the nay vote.

The new figure changes the increase over last year's budget from 3.47-percent to approximately 3.17-percent, Director of Fiscal Services Jim Reese estimated.

The budget featuring a 3.47-percent increase was $31,296,066, an increase of $1,050,037 over the 2011-12 approved budget of $30,246,029.

Although the majority of board members would have supported the 3.47-percent increase, most felt they needed to send a message to town officials and taxpayers.

"We should show the townspeople that we are considering their financial duress," said board member George Bauer.

Declining Enrollment

In 2011-12, enrollment was 1,895, according to the budget packet provided. In 2012-13, projected enrollment is 1,771, a difference of 124 students.

"You have declining enrollment yet the budget is going up by half a million dollars," said Nancy Grazing of Woodbury. "This kind of an increase has to be looked at as massive."

Grazing said that over the years, she always voted for school budgets, whether her children were in or out of the school district.

"It's time, I think, to mind these numbers," she said. "It begins to hit home. I know you worked hard on this but I'm not the only one who feels this way."

Tom Arras said people are personally figuring out ways to reduce spending.

"This [budget] is out of touch with the reality of our region," he said.

Art McNally said every year, additions are made to the region's bureaucracy.

"It's time to cut: he said. "I'm sorry -- we don't have the money you're asking for."

Carol Miller of Bethlehem said she drove 10 miles each way to attend the hearing and represent Bethlehem. She said she is a former board member and knows what the board is going through. But her opinion on the school budget coincided with that of the majority of residents who spoke.

"The enrollment is going down," she said. "If this were a business, when production goes down, we have to have layoffs. I don't like layoffs. No one likes layoffs. But these are tough times."

Katie Yocis, a teacher at Nonnewaug High School had a different opinion. She and Candace DeFelice Fernandes spoke in support of the superintendent's proposed budget. Yocis said she knows there are high quality teachers in Region 14 but is having trouble feeling pride in the school system.

"Why is our population decreasing in the school system? I'll tell you why," said Yocis. "I went to church here for about nine months when was under construction. It's a disgrace."

She was, in part, referring to the auditorium at . The acoustics are awful and some seats are unable to be pushed down all the way, she said.

"I work here and I'm not very proud of what I see every day," said Yocis.

Some of her hopes and dreams for the school include the schools serving as a community gathering spot. She said people watching sporting events is a challenge because there is no place to sit.

"Watch those rocks and divots because we don't have money to fix our fields," she said.

Yocis said the population will continue to decrease because she has contemplated sending her children to private schools because she wants them to have more opportunities.

If enough people feel that way, DeFelice Fernandes said people will not want to buy homes in Woodbury.

"Just like owning a home, there's only so many years you can go before wear and tear shows," she said.