Major Cuts Anticipated in Upcoming Lakeland Budget
Lakeland Superintendent of Schools Dr. George Stone recently presented a gloomy financial forecast to the Board of Education at the start of talks for the 2013-14 budget.
With the district facing a deficit between $2.3 and $3.9 million, Stone emphasized staffing and program reductions were likely, along with possible class size increases.
“The facts are and continue to be every year from here on out unless there’s massive changes that take place at both the federal and state levels it will be harder and harder to plan and implement without depleting reserves, incorporating potential layoffs and recommending the maximum tax rates as allowed by law,” Stone said. “Even the greatest financial wizards can’t prevent the inevitable. Here at Lakeland we will continue to try to stretch our resources as far as possible without drastically reducing staff and programs.”
Stone said he would be recommending a retirement incentive to eligible employees, a measure that saved the district $1 million last year. “We have to try to do even better this year,” he said.
However, certain programs would still be on “the chopping block” for the board to consider, such as freshmen modified sports and the walkabout program at BOCES.
“Everything we do and spend money on will again be scrutinized this year,” Stone said.
At the same time, Stone stressed the district needed to upgrade safety and security needs throughout the district and mentioned a capital improvement bond would be proposed to the board to present to voters in the fall.
“Safety and security of staff and students will always be my number one concern,” he said.
The Board of Education is scheduled to continue to discuss certain components of the 2013-14 spending plan at a February 7 work session at the Administration Building in Shrub Oak.
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