Our next two Board of Education meetings will focus on our 2012-2013 budget. The March Board of Education meetings are March 12^th and March 26^th. The meetings will take place 7:00 PM at J.C. Birdlebough High School.

In January, we reviewed our initial projections for revenues and expenditures.  Phoenix CSD is facing a potential $2.4 million budget gap that will need to be filled. If you would like to view the presentation materials, they are available on the Budget Information page of our website http://www.phoenixcsd.org/DistrictHome/BudgetInformation.aspx . The $2.4 million gap follows on the heels of last year’s tough budget gap of $3.1 million.

Our $2.4 million gap will be filled through a variety of sources: using reserves, retirements and reductions in various expenses, programs and staff.  The 2% property cap also plays a role in the amount of money that can be raised through taxes.

Our Board of Education has maintained a fiscally responsible use of reserves and made careful decisions to not significantly disrupt the instructional program in Phoenix CSD.  I would like to invite you to come out and be a part of the budget process.

One significant way you can become involved is to advocate on behalf of Phoenix CSD to our elected officials.  The Statewide School Finance Consortium is a not-for -profit organization associated the Central New York School Boards Association.  Both organizations have been strong advocates for the fair and equitable distribution of state aid.  Governor Cuomo has set aside $250 million in competitive grants for this coming school year. As with last year’s competitive grants, Phoenix CSD will most likely not qualify for any of these grants. CNYSBA and SSFC are advocating having Governor Cuomo distribute all or a portion of the $250 million in competitive grants back to schools in the form of state aid. If you would like your voice to be heard on this matter, follow this link http://www.statewideonline.org/  and click on the “click here” tab by the Act Now button.