Local News
SCHOOLS: Retirements could help Wilson budget
RANSOMVILLE — A few retirements could provide some much-needed help for the Wilson Central School District as officials are in the process of creating a budget for the 2010-11 school year.
At its meeting Tuesday at W.H. Stevenson Elementary, school board members accepted the resignations of seven district employees. The resignations include four teachers, a counselor, nurse and Athletic Director Charles Jufer. Board President Timothy Kropp said the seven combined for 214 years of service with the Wilson district.
“This district will see a loss,” Kropp said. “You’ve been a very positive force in the instructional process for our kids.”
The retirements are effective June 30, when the school year ends. Superintendent Michael Wendt said there’s no figure yet on what Wilson will save with the retirements. Employees were offered a contract-based retirement incentive, which the seven took. The incentive isn’t offered every year, but was offered now because of the economic uncertainty facing the district. Details on the incentive were not available Tuesday.
Wendt said the seven retirements can help ease the number of any possible job cuts.
“We can cut now without impacting people,” he said. “We may not avoid it, but it gives us room to work.”
Wendt said the district is planning staff reductions at every level, while other potential cuts include non-curricular activities, such as modified sports. The goal is to have no increase in expenditures, Wendt said. With it likely that no help from the state is coming, Wilson will use reserves and its fund balance to help with the revenue side of the budget.
The board will see a first draft of the 2010-11 budget at a regular meeting March 23, Wendt said. Currently, the plan is have a final draft ready by April 1, and the board will adopt the budget April 13.
Under Gov. David Paterson’s proposed budget, Wilson would take a hit of $1 million in state aid for the 2010-11 school year. The district is also faced with three big budget increases, which include a $120,000 bump in the state employee retirement system, a $184,000 increase in teacher retirement and a $244,000 increase in health insurance. All three are mandated by the state.
In other district news, Wilson will be hosting an H1N1 and seasonal flu immunization clinic from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. March 18 at the high school, 374 Lake St. The clinic is free and open to everyone, no appointments needed.
Contact reporter Joe Olenick at 439-9222, ext. 6241.
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