Penn Yan considers 22 staff cuts

PENN YAN—The Penn Yan Central School District proposed budget for the 2011-12 school year has been pared again.
The board of education heard a summary of reductions as well as the impact of those reductions during the Wednesday, March 9, meeting. Assistant Superintendent for Business Douglas Tomandl presented a list of staffing cuts that included a  net  reduction of 22.5 positions.
Tomandl outlined the impact of the reductions.  The first round of proposed cuts equalled $1,556,239. Additional cuts presented during the March 9 meeting totaled $1,035,448. The new total proposed budget is $31,305,639. This is a decrease in spending of $340,070 over the current year.
A 2.88 percent tax increase is represented in the latest numbers. The tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value would rise from $9.97 to $10.26. Factors that impact the tax rate are state aid, change in assessments, change in equalization rate, and change in STAR exemptions.
Interim Superintendent of Schools Tom Cox spoke about consolidation study including current and projected enrollments, professional staffing plans and housing plans.  Board approval of work with the Dundee and Marcus Whitman districts to explore the feasibility of a consolidated business office is begin sought.