Schools again facing yawning deficits

LANCASTER, N.Y. (WIVB) - Local school districts are being forced to come up with some creative math to close budget gaps again this year.

Suburban school districts all around western New York are putting the finishing touches on their budgets. Though they haven't finalized their budgets yet, they're extra challenge this year is a tax cap mandated by the state.

Lancaster Central Schools held a "tax cap" presentation Monday night, explaining how the state's new two percent tax cap doesn't always mean two percent. In fact, Lancaster would have the option of raising the tax levy over five percent because of exemptions, like what the district has to pay in pension costs, PILOT payments, or growth in the district.

Superintendent Edward Myszka said, "It's a growing community, but we're also seeing declining enrollment, as many school districts are in western New York. So that's going to have a ripple effect on staffing. Right now it's too early to tell what our final numbers are."

Although the Lancaster School District will lose $1.7 million in federal stimulus funds this year, Lancaster teachers agreed to a pay freeze. That almost entirely makes up for what the district will lose in federal funds.

Brenda Christopher, Lancaster School Board member, said, "We are prepared for this. And are we safe? No, we're not safe by any stretch. Because of our administration, the way they planned for these cuts, we knew they were coming, we were able to plan for them. So we're anxious to see what the state's final numbers are going to be."

But other districts are in worse shape. Niagara-Wheatfield is looking at a $10 million deficit. Grand Island faces a $6.8 million gap. Ken-Ton has to close a $9.1 million deficit. And Frontier has $4 million to plug.

In the Cheektowaga-Sloan District Monday night, there was a big turnout of residents and school staff. Clerical workers and teachers in the district have already agreed to take a pay freeze next year to help get through the budget crunch.

All of the districts are planning their final budgets that residents can vote on May 15th.