Sharon Central School’s Tony DiPace doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry when he looks at the state figures unveiled as part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed 2024-25 state budget.
Because it cuts state aid to the six Schoharie County schools by $2.2 million.
The hardest hit of the five would be Middleburgh, with a $720,068 loss.
Schoharie would actually see a $26,093 increase in state aid; in Sharon Springs, the cut would be $133,253.
“There has to be a legislative response of some sort,” Mr. DiPace, SSCS’s Business Manager, told the school board Monday.
“I don’t know whether to be angry or just sort of laugh at it.”
Helen Roberts, school board president, pointed out the irony of the massive statewide cuts after Governor Hochul stressed the importance of education.
“Then they turn around and do something like this,” Ms. Roberts said.
A cut of $133,000 isn’t survivable, Mr. DiPace said.
If the changes to what’s called Foundation Aid stand, it would mean draining SSCS’s fund balance, good for maybe two years.
It would also mean the dozens of primarily rural schools hit the hardest statewide would need to make significant cuts—especially in light of rising costs and the property tax cap.
For some, it would likely mean program cuts—something Mr. DiPace said he’s not planning to do, “not after we worked so hard to put them together.”
“Let’s take a breath. That’s not where we are now,” he said.
“As much as the numbers are astonishing, let’s just see them through. Between now and April, it’s all theatrics.”
Mr. DiPace said he’ll continue putting SSCS’s 2024-2025 tentative budget together with his presentations to the school board beginning in February—the same schedule he’s always followed.
Proposed state aid losses for local schools according to Mr. DiPace:
Gilboa--$440,266.
Jefferson--$562,236.
Middleburgh--$720,068.
Cobleskill-Richmondville--$437,707.
Schoharie—a $26,093 increase.
Sharon Springs--$133,253.
Berne-Knox--$632,158.
Duanesburg--$177,516.
Canajoharie--$492,720.
Cherry Valley--$601,329.
Richfield Springs--$316,365.
Schenevus--$63,331.
Milford--$357,875.
Edmeston--$729, 241.