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The board will begin discussing possible cuts to the 2013-14 school budget Tuesday during its regular Board of Education meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Campus Presentation Room at Irvington High School.
“This presents a major challenge for the entire community and will likely result in significant reductions,” the district said in a note to parents. “The Board and Administration will begin dialogue on their approach to identify a balanced budget while preserving the high-quality learning experiences our children deserve, and, at the same time, containing tax increases. Your voice needs to be heard.”
Officials say mandates such as pension and health care costs have led to a huge deficit in the school budget. Officials estimated earlier in the school year that a status quo budget would mean a 3.4 percent tax rate increase, not including changes in staff, enrollment or program cuts.
Irvington Superintendent Kristopher Harrison said the district would aim for a fiscally responsible budget, keeping in mind that Irvington residents pay high property taxes. But Harrison also said the district has an obligation to provide students with the best education possible and said another round of budget cuts would affect beloved programs.
He said budget discussions are started “in the context of what our constraints may look like.”
The following budget discussions are all scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the campus presentation room at Irvington High School:
- Feb. 12: Budget discussions and draft of school calendar.
- March 5: Presentation of the superintendent's proposed budget.
- March 19: Board of Education work session for budget discussions.
- April 23: Board adopts budget.
- May 7: Board hosts budget hearing before their regular meeting.
- May 21: School board elections and budget vote.
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