Tempers Flare At BCS Hearing

by Phillip Zema
The contention surrounding Berlin’s budget process was overwhelmingly evident at Tuesday’s Budget Hearing. Initially, Sandra Brown, Berlin’s Business Manager, provided a budget overview: in short, the budget evolved over three drafts. The tax levy was originally stated at 5.88%, but by the time the final version was drafted this number declined to 1.74%. The projected budget will run at $18,757, 983, which is a $476,267 (or 2.61%) increase over last year’s budget. Brown’s presentation included a brief discussion on the projected savings from closing Grafton Elementary. Reportedly, if kept open, local taxes would increase by 18%.Consolidation, it was claimed, would save the District roughly $625,000.
If the budget fails to pass, the District can entertain any of three options. First, it can put the same budget up for vote. Second, the BOE can modify the budget. The third option is a contingency budget. If this scenario occurs, all state mandated expenses would have to be paid. Such expenses include those required to meet the District’s contractual obligations (e.g. instructional faculty contracts). A chief worry with this route, however, is that non-contractual items – sports, the arts, extracurricular activities, etc. – might be eliminated. Moreover, consolidation would likely still occur.
The hearing was attended by roughly 30-40 residents. Many voiced their disapproval with the budget. Julie Harrell, a former BOE member, was vehemently upset over the consolidation of the elementary schools. She claimed that if Principal Diamond’s and Superintendant Gregory’s salaries were reduced and if BOCES expenditures were slashed, the District could generate enough money to preserve Grafton. Harrell argued that the District was not telling the truth and that an investigation should be conducted. Furthermore, she expressed her disapproval with the Board’s decision to fire former principal Dennis Healy. Gregory’s response was that her $550 per day salary has stayed constant and Diamond only receives the $450 per day pay when she works. She also said that BOCES is warranted since it provides many services the District cannot afford such as an opportunity for students to pursue programs in applied education.
Heinz Noeding questioned the accuracy of the District’s financial calculations. He said that if you divided Gregory’s yearly pay ($143k – more on this number below) by her daily salary, it would appear she was getting paid for 286 work days, which is substantially more than your average worker. A debate ensued over the accuracy of Noeding’s numbers. Brown and Gregory argued that Noeding inserted the wrong daily salary into the equation – so Noeding inserted $500 instead of $550. Noeding said that he was using the numbers Gregory talked about. The discussion ended without a clear resolution.
Noeding then took issue with Gregory’s salary. He said the final 2009-2010 budget stated that Gregory would receive $115k; yet the Board voted in July to make her salary $143k plus $8k in benefits (interims do not get health care). Evidently, around this time, the Board ended its search for a full time superintendant; the Board had laid aside about $150k to hire a new superintendent. This money was seemingly applied towards Gregory’s salary. The heated discussion ended with Zwack claiming that even though Gregory received this increase, keeping her saved the District money; for if someone else was hired at $150K/year, the District would have to pay an additional $40k in health benefits.
Noeding was also disturbed by how much it costs the District to educate each student. Neighboring schools, he argued, pay roughly 30% less per student than Berlin. Given this data, Noeding presumed there was some “fat” within the budget to cut. Gregory said it was often the case that smaller schools often cost more to operate. Since the District covers 162 square miles, greater expenses are likely. Despite this response, Noeding still wondered why the District could not cut operational costs. He was also concerned that the Superintendant was coercing the public to vote a certain way. She flatly rejected the claim.
There were additional questions about Grafton. Many concerned whether the District really saved anything through consolidation. Noeding said the District had reportedly reduced its personnel by ten. The reported savings of Grafton was partly based on faculty reductions yet many of Grafton’s faculty were re-employed by the District. In light of these considerations, Noeding asked how the District claimed it would save on costs. Gregory’s response was that Noeding was mistaken. When positions become available current employees get seniority when it comes to job openings, she said. So when jobs opened at Berlin, the District filled some of the positions with Grafton’s faculty. Despite this response, some audience members were still unconvinced.
A number of other comments were made. Alan Webster Jr. cited a recent New York Times article. The article talked about how some downstate schools decided to freeze salaries. By making these sacrifices, faculties were able to preserve jobs and educational opportunities. Webster asked if there were circumstances where the District would pursue this option. Gregory responded that she does not want the students’ education to ever be compromised. She claimed that, with her, “it’s always about the students.”
Patricia Bush was angered that the community had no vote on the consolidation issue. She also accused the Board, especially Zwack, of never providing a meaningful answer to any question. People were also upset that the Board passed the budget at a budget workshop. They claimed the public was not properly notified of the event. Noeding provided evidence that the budget workshop was not posted on the District’s home page. Some residents expressed concern over the Berlin elementary school’s dangerous structural conditions. They intend to send their kids to private schools. Others suggested the District should model its financial plan according to what comparable districts have done. There was also concern that the District spends too much on BOCES – nearly $2m per year albeit larger districts pay substantially less. Noeding added that in five years local taxes could increase anywhere between 20 and 40%, especially because of state aid cuts and referendums. Often, when unsatisfied with Zwack’s or Gregory’s response, some audience members proceeded to loudly boo and chastise them. Zwack threatened to adjourn the meeting unless people acted civilly.
In most cases, Gregory, Zwack, Brown or a Board member provided answers. Zwack felt that Berlin Elementary provided kids with excellent learning opportunities. He said that Stephentown students and his grandson love it and are succeeding. Gregory and Zwack argued that the public was adequately informed about the budget workshops. Furthermore, Brown said that BOCES expenditures are 61.8% refundable; while last year the District only got $600k out of $1.8m back through BOCES, the other expenditures were at least partly reimbursed through a myriad of aid sources. Gregory claimed that by being involved with BOCES, the District actually saves on instructional costs. Moreover, Brown admitted that there could be a large tax increase. She claimed, however, that the District has reserves that could prevent exorbitant tax hikes. Also, the public has the option to vote down referendums.
In closing, the meeting ended with a brief, yet heated, argument between Board members. Morelli thought it was relevant to talk about a letter sent by the administration to a local resident. The letter, it was argued, did not comply with proper educational protocol. Mary Grant, the letter’s author, claimed that she acted on the sound advice of the District’s lawyer. Zwack felt like the discussion was an ambush on Grant and preferred to discuss the issue in executive session. Morelli vehemently disagreed with Zwack, but after a brisk argument, the Board decided to end the discussion.
The budget vote will be at the Berlin Firehouse on May 18. It will go from noon to 9 pm. There will be a BOE meeting the following day.