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March 24, 2008
Fiscal Responsibility
Dear Community Members:
At best the financial
picture in Albany is uncertain, however we
do know that New York State is in debt and sustaining the agencies and
schools that depend on State Aid is becoming more and more difficult.
Those school districts,
like Central Square that depend on New York State for funding approximately
63% of the school budget must face these difficult times honestly. We must
continue to educate our children so that they will remain competitive in a
global market yet we must address the declining enrollment that is
occurring, not only in the Central Square School District but throughout
Oswego County.
We are fortunate that
through these difficult times we have a dedicated Board of Education that is
committed to the students of the Central Square School District as well as
to establishing a tax rate that is fiscally responsible for all members of
the Central Square community. To that end they have taken the lead in
pursuing fiscal equity for all school districts in New York State by passing
a resolution asking that the New York State Legislature distribute state aid
equitably to all school districts.
I have asked all
administrators and supervisors to look closely at their areas to ensure that
with the declining enrollment we are remaining fiscally responsible to those
who support our educational program. In the past, many of our programs have
not received adequate funding, yet staffing has continued to increase while
enrollment in some areas has declined. The enrollment in our Middle School
has decreased significantly over the last two years and by the time
September 2008 arrives we will house approximately 1,070 students in a
building that once held nearly 1,300.
With all of these factors in mind we move forward to continue to prepare a
2008-2009 school budget in a thoughtful, conscientious manner; a budget that
will provide for our children and be fiscally responsible.
Carolyn F. Costello
Superintendent of Schools
 since 3/24/2008
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