The most significant change discussed was in a dental/vision insurance expense. Initially thought to require a $600K increase to the budget, it transformed into a $549K cut. Most other items concerned changes which the BOE did not seem well equipped to evaluate in terms of their impact on education achievement. One Board member characterized what the BOE has been doing as "micro-managing the budget."
The utility tax was mentioned. The current budget does not include utility tax revenue (but if you reside within the Newburgh School District you are paying a utility tax to the School District right now, whether you know it or not). Click through for voluminous meeting notes.
Future meeetings are scheduled for March 11, 18, and 25 at 5pm.
What about cutting from 45 Administrators?
Excerpt from TH Record Editorial -
"The Newburgh schools have 45 administrators in this budget year making more than $118,000 a year, the cutoff amount for the state report. In Newburgh, the figures range from $125,000 to more than $200,000, not counting benefits for the top earners... people should be asking how the schools can justify spending so much money on administration instead of spending it on police whose presence is so much more productive."
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100310/OPINION/...