Newfane school district facing more than $1M in cuts

By Joe Olenick<br><a href="mailto:joe.olenick@lockportjournal.com">E-mail Joe</a> Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

NEWFANE — Those who spoke came in all ages, but they all had the same message: Spread out the cuts and save the music and art programs in Newfane.

Students, parents and residents packed the Newfane Early Childhood Center gymnasium Tuesday night to hear the bad news. Superintendent Gary Pogorzelski unveiled an updated draft of the proposed 2010-11 school year budget, one that includes $1.3 million in cuts. The cuts range from the potential loss of about 20 positions to the elimination of some after school clubs and modified sports. The cuts would also affect the school’s arts and music programs, which many students spoke in defense of.

Newfane junior Emily Flagler said she played field hockey and softball, as well as participating in the school music program for eight years. Music is popular in the district, and the cuts shouldn’t be concentrated in one or two places.

“We do not think it is fair to propose cuts on certain populations and not others,” she said. “We realize cuts need to be made. What about children with disabilities or injuries who can’t participate in sports? They have no other choices.”

Senior Douglas Mandell Jr. said although it won’t affect him, the cuts are too big for him to ignore. Students for the past week have been talking about these cuts, Mandell added.

“Some of the best times and fondest memories in Newfane are in tech (technology program), and it helps me keep my car running so I can get to work,” Mandell said. “We’re concerned about the future of Newfane. The future of Newfane is right here. And what better future can we give Newfane than giving our students an education that gives them the tools and abilities to grow up and become a contributing member to society and give back to Newfane?”

The music and arts in Newfane are also an advantage when it comes to finding a  college, 2009 graduate Marshall Kelkenberg said. Now attending SUNY Fredonia, Kelkenberg said the big reason he was accepted was the extracurricular activities he was involved in at Newfane.

“The knowledge I gained, you can’t really put an amount of money on it, it’s what helped get me in Fredonia,” Kelkenberg said.

Pogorzelski said the decisions were difficult to make, adding that he had six kids who were involved with music when they were in school. These are decisions the district doesn’t want to make, he said. With 12 years of experience in Newfane, Pogorzelski said he knows families that are affected by the cuts.

“It’s heart-wrenching — it’s tragic,” Pogorzelski said.

At the March 2 board meeting, Pogorzelski presented a budget that included $900,000 in cuts. Those cuts included school clubs, the loss of the district’s family and children’s counseling center, reducing 19 positions and modified sports. The district was still about $1 million short of balancing the budget.

“And we’re still short,” Pogorzelski said.

Newfane is slated to lose $1.9 million in state aid, which makes up about 59 percent of the district’s revenue. The district is also facing $900,000 in cost increases, for a total deficit of $2.8 million. On Tuesday, Pogorzelski's budget showed an additional $400,000 in cuts, including the elimination of a music teacher, part-time counselor, administrator and the reduction of other positions. The equivalent of 20 and a half positions would be cut, a combination of 32 full- and part-time jobs. After all that, Newfane still has a remaining deficit of about $600,000.

“And we’re still short,” Pogorzelski said, again.

Pogorzelski said Newfane is the second-poorest district in Niagara County, but has the highest tax rate in the county. About 40 percent of Newfane students qualify for free or reduced breakfasts and lunches. Aside from those economic difficulties, Pogorzelski said there is also very little chance any state aid will be restored when a state budget is approved.

“The message we’re getting is that it’s not going to happen,” he said.

Parent Michelle Malone said the budget’s cuts should be spread out and not concentrated on certain programs and activities.

“You need to be fair with these cuts,” she said. “What I’m hearing from the community is we don’t want this disparity.”

Board President James Reineke said the board wasn’t necessarily trying to produce a budget with no tax levy increase, but instead trying to reduce the deficit as much as possible. There is still a lot of work left to do with the budget, he said, including taking a look at athletics, because the board needs to approve a 2010-11 budget by April 23.

“There’s simply no good answer,” he said. “We’re devastated. None of us joined the board to cut programs.”

Contact reporter Joe Olenick at 439-9222, ext. 6241.

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