LI school districts weigh layoffs, other cuts

April 13, 2010 by JOIE TYRRELL / joie.tyrrell@newsday.com

The Central Islip school district is considering laying off more than 100 teachers and other personnel. William Floyd might need to cut more than 150 positions - including more than 65 teachers.

Sayville had been considering eliminating its full-day kindergarten program, but now is looking at other savings in order to keep it, and has a tentative wage-freeze agreement with its teachers.

As public school districts across Long Island finalize next year's budget proposals, potential dramatic cuts in state aid threaten a fresh wave of pain.

"The proposed reductions to programs and staff are devastating to the William Floyd school district. It's unfortunate that the children and the communities that need the greatest support have to make the greatest reductions," Superintendent Paul Casciano said in a statement.

Gov. David A. Paterson proposed to reduce aid to Sayville by $2.2 million, to Central Islip by $4.2 million and to William Floyd by nearly $4.4 million.

The state legislature is still negotiating a 2010-11 budget, but many Albany insiders say Paterson's cuts are unrealistic, especially in an election year.

Central Islip is considering cutting 111 teachers, support staff and administrators if state aid is not restored. Superintendent Craig Carr said a small part of that reduction would be through attrition, with a majority to come through layoffs.

The district also is looking at cuts to prekindergarten, music and sports programs. Carr said the cuts are still in the discussion phase and could change.

"Hopefully we can put some, if not all, of it back if the state comes through with more money, but the governor's proposal has forced us to have to look at these reductions and give people advance notice," Carr said.

William Floyd officials say the governor's reduction of state aid and increases in rollover costs such as contractual obligations, insurance, and transportation are contributing to $12.5 million in reductions, including cutting full-day kindergarten to half-day and eliminating the alternative high school for at-risk youth.

Budgets must be submitted to the state by April 24. Public votes on all school district budgets are held May 18.

In Sayville, school officials had looked at saving nearly a half-million dollars by going from full-day to half-day kindergarten but decided against cutting the program. The district has reached a tentative agreement with its teachers union on a half-year freeze for each of the 2010-11 and 2011-12 school years, said John Belmonte, assistant superintendent for business.

Tuesday, Bethpage High School students got a firsthand lesson in school economics when Superintendent Terry Clark gave a budget presentation to students in an enrichment program. Bethpage does not have to make drastic cuts, but it is eliminating five teaching positions through retirement and attrition due to declining enrollment.

Sophomore Wilfred Cheung, 16, said it was a good idea for students to learn how district money was spent.

"We can have a say in where the money goes," Cheung said.