West Seneca, N.Y. (WBEN) - Faculty and staff of West Seneca Central Schools continued to vocalize their concerns during a Board of Education meeting Tuesday evening regarding the possibility of layoffs, stemming from the district claiming that they are looking to address a $5 million deficit in next year's school budget.
Interim Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Rabey broke down to the BOE, a packed house of CSEA members, West Seneca Teacher's Association members and groups of parents and students, a second draft proposal that outlined a potential savings that would come through various salary or benefit reductions for an equivalent of 47.5 full-time staff members.
And although it remains unclear how many teachers or faculty could potentially lose their jobs next school year, the budget plan did outline a reduction of 30.5 teaching positions and 17 other staff members.
"It's pretty shocking," said Craig Ersing, West Seneca Teacher's Association Treasurer and math teacher. "...especially when we consider the district to be in a sound, financial position. We are hopeful that the district will be willing to have a conversation with us."
Ersing noted that West Seneca is a district in Western New York that is one of few proposing "drastic cuts."
"Hamburg has already acknowledged their financial mismanagement. The loss of American Rescue Plan funds and foundation aid affects every district, but West Seneca is the only one proposing such drastic cuts - not seen in any other district."
Ersing also maintains the stance that this deficit is a "manufactured problem" and that the district is not in any comparable fiscal stress according to a scale from the state comptroller's office.
"They don't even have to necessarily dip into their reserves and what we've talked about this evening is that the district has a history of overestimating their expenses and expenditure. The district has surplused over $22 million over the last three years and the state comptroller's office has rated the district a 6.5 out of 100 meaning there is no fiscal stress."
The budget is expected to be adopted by the board next week with a public hearing on May 7, it will then be put to a vote on May 21. Residents can vote at the East Senior High School gymnasium.