Whether to cut a librarian is delaying a decision on Cobleskill-Richmondville’s proposed 2025-26 budget.
After hearing pleas from the public to save the position Monday night, school board members were divided on the cut, a move recommended by Superintendent Matt Sickles.
C-R’s issue is that expenses are rising faster than revenue. Spending in the proposed budget is $48.38 million, while revenues fall short of that.
The district started the budget process with a $1.8 million gap between expenses and revenue, but taking more money from fund balance and reserves, plus cuts in positions, has narrowed the gap to $262,150.
The librarian was one of those cuts, and speakers from the public made it clear the position should be restored.
School board members were split. On one side, some worried about taking money from reserves that might be needed in the future but couldn’t be replaced.
On the other side, there were deep concerns that cutting one librarian and have three others cover four school buildings would hurt students.
Board member Jason Gagnon, whose wife Laura Gagnon is the Golding School librarian and not slated to be cut, said librarians are essential in teaching and encouraging students to read.
Mr. Gagnon also charged that C-R consistently over-budgets and has enough money, a point other board members disputed.
“We need to build in excess [money] if we get an expensive student [who requires special services],” responded board member Susan Strasser. “We need that flexibility.”
But Dr. Strasser also believed C-R should probably take money from fund balance and reserves for the librarian and deal with a potential shortage later.
When pressed by board members about the librarian, Mr. Sickles replied, “These are my recommendations.”
Board President Bruce Tryon agreed, adding that taking more from fund balance “is not sustainable,” and he backed Mr. Sickles’ budget.
Others had misgivings about the budget–-Vice President Dominga Lent and member Mary Black––but said they’d support it.
Member Aimee Yorke pointed to the importance of teachers, including librarians, but also said the board has “a fiduciary responsibility” to taxpayers.
Mr. Gagnon wouldn’t support the budget as it stands, and Dr. Strasser wavered, saying she’d support it if it included the librarian.
When member Steve Philbrick said the board should give Mr. Sickles some direction as he continues budget work going forward, there was no response.
To close the remaining $262,150 gap, Mr. Sickles proposed hoping state aid increases slightly––$80,000––and using an additional $182,150 from fund balance and reserves.
Board members took no action. Mr. Sickles will continue budget work, keep an eye on state aid, and bring back a budget on April 7.
Board members expect to adopt it then in preparation for a May vote.