No layoffs in Sachem School District; multimillion-dollar budget shortfall remains
The Sachem School District still faces a $3.7 million budget gap, even with fully funded state aid.
Layoffs will not be coming to the Sachem School District after administrators warned last month of a possible doomsday scenario that would have seen approximately 70 job cuts.
The dramatic about face was the result of concessions made by teacher and staff unions to avoid job losses. A key source of state funding, called foundation aid, is expected to remain unchanged.
The Sachem School District still faces a $3.7 million budget gap, even with fully funded state aid. School board members will fill the deficit by spending some of the district’s $60 million in reserve funds, or by piercing the tax cap.
District officials estimate households would pay an average of $230 extra per year if the tax cap were to be pierced.
The school board will reconvene to adopt a budget on April 19, 22 or 23.
