TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
Federal Money Won't Save Teachers
Schools receive boost of federal money, but still losing $100M in 2010-2011 academic year
By Amanda Lindner/alindner@longislandernews.com

Schools will continue to tighten the loops on their budget belts as a last-minute boost in federal dollars, announced last Tuesday, comes up too short and too late to save jobs or programs this year.

New York schools are now expected to lose about $100 million in aid, a substantial lift from the $172 million cut proposed in January, but still not enough to make up for the overall loss, especially since Albany is planning another 1-percent cut in state aid later this year. The additional cutback is intended to cover a $280 million shortfall in federal Medicaid dollars, Governor David Paterson's office said.

The cuts this year haven't been easy for the Half Hollow Hills School District, but it is one of the luckier Huntington area schools, having cut only two extra-curricular programs and no teachers.

"There's definitely no sailing through," Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Facilities Victor Manuel said. "The $7 million in stimulus money that we had this year won't be there in 2011-2012. We're just hoping the state aid stays where it is. If not, we will need to use the money to save teachers next year."

Commack schools were not as fortunate. After a 2.6 percent slash in state aid this year, the district had to reduce electives, athletics, academic support, remedial programs, elementary school teachers and librarians, Superintendent Donald James said. "It's so hard to sit with people telling them that they're not going to have a job next year. It's the most difficult thing to say, 'We want you here, we want you working with our children, but we just don't have the money,'" James said.

School officials have been told the federal money intended to save teaching jobs can be saved for anticipated cuts next academic year, but in many Long Island schools, teachers and educational staffers have already been laid off to fit the budget Albany proposed months ago for this year.

"If we had known about the federal aid when we were planning the budget, I think it would have made a big difference. I think it would have made a difference for every district," James said.

Suffolk and Nassau school districts have not yet received the funds, nor have they been given any terms for its distribution.

"At this point, we have not seen the money flow from federal to state, and the state hasn't published any guidelines on how it can be used," said David Grackin, Huntington School District's assistant superintendent for finance and management services. "We're glad to have it, but it really depends on the strings attached."

Grackin said that it's typical for this kind of funding to run out toward the end of the year, known as the "funding cliff."

"When we get there around July, we either have to hope that the aid covers about $2.2 million or we have to raise taxes."

On the same day the federal dollars were announced, New York was included as a winner of a federal grant for schools with academic improvement. "Race to the Top" funds will give New York State $700 million, with about $15.5 million going to Long Island schools over the next four years, but it not yet known if that money will benefit any schools in Huntington.