Due to budget cuts, district modifies reopening plans
LANSINGBURGH, N.Y. » Lansingburgh Central School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Antonio Abitabile announced some modifications to the school district’s reopening plan. Abitabile also addressed budget cuts disproportionately affecting Lansingburgh schools.
“It’s the mission of every public school district in this country to provide the best educational experience possible for all students, balanced with whatever resources that we’re afforded,” Abitabile stated.
“Due to circumstances beyond our control I felt it best to inform our community of some extremely unfortunate news that makes this district’s mission much more difficult to achieve than others,” Abitabile continued.
“We were notified last week that all schools in New York state regardless of need are receiving a twenty percent reduction in state aid funding. This reduction is expected to last at least for this school year or until we received federal funding to replace the shortage of aid,” Abitabile noted on the drastic cuts to aid.
Abitabile went on to stress the inequity caused by the 20 percent flat cut by the government which further impedes the ability to educate their students most in need. He also noted that unlike their wealthier suburban school counterparts, Lansingburgh and other similar school districts are much more reliant on vital state aid.
To that end, 65 percent of the Lansingburgh Central School District’s overall budget is derived from the same revenue sources. The cut is equivalent to 12 percent of their overall budget or $6.5 million of their $52 million total operating budget.
“This financial burden, combined with around 40 percent of our students opting for remote learning and staff members still conflicted about returning safely to school, makes it impossible for the district to open all of our schools for inperson learning on Sept. 8,” Abitabile explained.
Abitabile also detailed the modifications made to their reopen plan for the school year.
“Turnpike Elementar y School, kindergarten, first, second, UPK and EPK will open with one slight reduction to one of EPK sections. Special education Multiply Disabled 12:1:2 classes moved to Turnpike. All self- contained special education classes will operate in- person from 8: 30 a. m. to 11:30 a.m. and learn remotely
“Wewerenotified last weekthat all schools in NewYorkstate regardless of need are receiving a twenty percent reduction in state aid funding. This reduction is expected to last at least for this school year or until we received federal funding to replace the shortage of aid.” — Central School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Antonio Abitabile
beginning at 12:30 p.m.,” Abitabile said.
“All other students from grades 3-12 will begin school year learning remotely,” Abitabile added.
Additionally, Abitabile announced that a superintendents conference day has been shifted to Sept. 8, while Sept. 9 will become the first day of school for students grades 3-12. The phased in reopening plan for Turnpike has been moved back one day as well.