Bethel+Park+Delays+Budget+Vote

= By Kaitlynn Riely = =// Published by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette //= =//5/27/11//=

= = = = = The Bethel Park school board has delayed its 2011-12 budget vote until June 30 because it is "holding out hope" that a revised state budget from Gov. Tom Corbett will increase state aid to the district, school board president Donna Cook said at a board meeting Thursday night. = = Yet the board began the process of preparing in case the cuts do happen. The board passed a resolution curtailing and altering programs in the district and eliminating about a dozen teaching positions. = = "There isn't a cut that can be made that won't negatively affect someone," Mrs. Cook said. = = School boards across the state have been looking at tough numbers as they plan their budgets for next year after Mr. Corbett slashed education funding in the budget he presented in March. = = Under the governor's proposed budget, Bethel Park would receive $7.9 million, or = = $1.3 million less, in state subsidies in 2011-12 than it received in the current school year. = = The district presented a $72.9 million budget in March that eliminated four paraprofessionals and one custodian position and does not replace four retiring teachers. Also, administrators have taken a wage freeze. = = But the district still needs $928,872 in spending cuts to stay at or below the millage increase allowed by the state. = = The board Thursday night revealed more details about how they would make those cuts. The board identified programs it would cut, though due to contractual language involving seniority, the elimination of a program doesn't necessarily mean that the person who holds the position currently will be furloughed. = = The board approved the elimination of a number of positions, including kindergarten support teachers, a third-grade music strings teacher, first- and second-grade teachers, two fifth-grade language teachers and two English teachers at the high school. = = The district would also no longer have its China experience program or a third-grade strings program next year. Fifth-grade introduction to language classes would be replaced by keyboarding classes. = = The district is also considering adding fees for sports participation. = = An earlier plan to eliminate day care buses outside the attendance zone and after-school activity buses has been postponed until the 2012-13 school year. = = The district has also said at previous meetings it is working with its bargaining units to find savings. It is currently in nonbinding arbitration with its teachers union. = = The adjustment resolution approved by the board also included creating new positions like a special education teacher and a keyboarding and technology teacher. = = Some of the changes in the resolution also reflect adjustments due to redistricting. = = The cuts in Bethel Park are less severe than in many other districts in the Pittsburgh region, but many residents and students nonetheless voiced their concerns during Thursday night's meeting and urged the district to find other programs to cut. = = "This is not a done deal," school director Cindy Buckley said. "We will continue to look at it. But there is only so much money to go around." = = The state House sent its budget proposal to the Senate on Tuesday, with the hopes of moving the budget process closer to negotiations among legislative leaders and the governor in the weeks ahead. = = The House budget plan has the same $27.3 billion total spending figure that Mr. Corbett, a Republican, has proposed. The House plan, however, dedicates less money to the Department of Public Welfare to restore money for education and makes other changes to specific line items. = = Read more: [] = = = = = = =

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