Governor Andrew Cuomo may be right about a lot of things, but he appears to have misread the financial situations of many New York schools, especially in places like the North Country.<\/p>\n
Cuomo has been suggesting that schools should be able to navigate the coming year without draconian cuts using their fund reserves, along with some modest trims.<\/p>\n
He also indicated that schools should address the salaries of their top administrators.<\/p>\n
But a round-up of reports from regional newspapers suggest that many districts plan significant cuts to teachers, educational programs, and buildings.<\/p>\n
The Plattsburgh Press Republican<\/a> is reporting today that administrators in that district have already whittled a $4.3 million deficit down to just a $1.3 million shortfall.\u00a0 But closing the remaining gap won’t be easy.<\/p>\n \u201cUp to 15 positions are being considered for further reduction, along with about eight student-program impacts,\u201d said Superintendent James \u201cJake\u201d Short.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reported<\/a> recently that the Saranac Lake Central School District is preparing to cut fourteen positions, along with mothballing the Lake Colby kindergarten school.<\/p>\n Under the plan, the district would eliminate the following:\u00a0 one full-time and two part-time positions by closing Lake Colby Elementary School; one foreign language teacher; one bus garage position; two clerical positions; one social studies teacher; one library position; one special education teacher; several positions where staff are retiring.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Glens Falls Post Star is still tracking reactions to the planned closure of the popular Sanford Street Elementary School, announced this week.<\/p>\n