South Country schools facing 51 position cuts in adopted budget heading to voters
According to the board of education, the cuts would hit across the board and include teachers, staff, safety officers and custodial.
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Next month, taxpayers in one Suffolk County school district will have a difficult choice when they vote on whether to approve South Country Central School District's $147 million spending plan that includes dozens of position eliminations.
Last week, the board of education adopted a budget that includes 51.2 position cuts to close a $3 million deficit for next year.
The cuts would be wide-ranging and include 35 full-time equivalent positions, including teachers and librarians, as well as 12 teaching assistants, 3 safety officers and 1 custodian.
Board members blamed a loss of federal funds, unforeseen spending increases and declining student enrollment for the cuts.
South Country Superintendent of Schools Antonio Santana responded to News 12 in a statement.
"South Country, like many districts across New York State, is confronting a combination of significant fiscal challenges.
The expiration of federal relief funds, reductions in both foundation and building aid, and steep, unforeseen increases in costs related to health insurance, transportation, and special education have placed a considerable strain on our budget. At the same time, although enrollment is declining overall, our special education and ENL populations continue to grow, requiring additional staffing to meet mandated services.
These realities have forced the district to make difficult decisions to ensure long-term financial stability while continuing to prioritize student needs. These decisions are never made lightly – staff reductions outside of attrition are always a last resort."
Bellport Teacher's Association President Pat Brady referred News 12 to his comments that he made just before the board adopted the budget last week.
"We are here to support our students," Brady said on April 23. "Cutting the frontlines is not supporting our students."
The budget received mixed reactions from parents and taxpayers.
"[It's] a bad idea," one woman who lives in the district said. "Children need their education. They need to learn."
"We had a rough time with the pandemic and I just felt they were cheated then, but I can't afford to have my taxes going up much more," Brookhaven resident Pat Sives said.
"The kids need what they need," one mother said after drop-off at Bellport High School this morning. "I don't think it's a smart thing to cut things that are necessary."
Tuesday, May 20, is budget vote and school board election day across the state.
