WEBUTUCK — This year the Webutuck Board of Education (BOE) is planning well in advance for the next budget season, as it anticipates a state budget that won’t leave much room to breathe.
The board approved a tentative budget process calender at its Nov. 9 meeting, which members explained gives the board time to plan accordingly but also the leeway to make adjustments.
Superintendent David Paciencia also presented to the board a “very rough draft� of possible areas where budget reductions could be made.
As Paciencia is new to the district, he stressed that the list was compiled while brain storming and that the board could give him direction as to which areas it would be more in favor of reducing or cutting.
Changes like moving to centralized network printing, cutting back on paper (and colored paper) use and slightly reducing heating and air conditioning use were stated as examples. Paciencia said that turning the heat down in winter by a degree or so wouldn’t make that much of a difference to those in the buildings, but the savings, when combined with other measures, would be substantial.
BOE President Dale Culver acknowledged that the list, like all the measures being taken by the board in preparation for the budget, is a result of “imposing fiscal darkness.� However he also said many of the changes Paciencia outlined are common sense reductions that should become permanent changes to policy and infrastructure maintenance.
“We should never change back from reducing the lighting at night,� he pointed out as an example. “That’s just money that’s churned through the system.�
More publicity
The contract with MSG Varsity has been signed, Director of Athletics Robert Wood confirmed. A $2,000 stipend will pay for a Mac computer to edit video on, and a digital video camera will be provided on loan from MSG.
Wood is hoping that students interested in participating will begin filming athletic matches, concerts and other school activities in January, which will be submitted to MSG Varsity and then broadcast on its cable television channel. Henry Pollinger will be the faculty advisor.
