Schools to face deficit

The Somers School District will be facing tough decisions in April as it prepares to deal with a $164,000 deficit in its 2010-11 budget.

The biggest obstacle is a 45 percent increase in the district's health insurance premiums for employees. That alone is as much as the deficit, Superintendent Teri Wing said.

"It's just such a disappointment, not only for us but for all teachers in the district paying for their own insurance for their family members," Wing said.

District officials thought they would be in good shape for the coming year, since enrollment numbers are actually up from 556 to 561 while other districts are dealing with declines. Overall, the district saw a $180,000 increase in its budget over the 2009-10 year.

But the unexpected expenditures, like the hike in insurance premiums, squashed those ideas.

The district will have other added expenses next year. The district will likely be required to hire another kindergarten teacher, since a larger class will be coming in. The district may also have to add another fourth-grade teacher.

Officials also have to figure in the 1 percent negotiated pay increase as well as steps and lanes.

To deal with the shortfall, the district has contacted three other insurance programs and officials hope to come back to the board in April with some options that may save those extra costs.

"We're crossing our fingers we can get something lower," Wing said.

The school board also is looking at the possibility of offering an early retirement incentive to its teachers and staff. That will be discussed at its April 20 meeting as well, along with other possible solutions for the deficit.

"We'll be looking at where to cut funds," Wing said. "It will be very, very tight."

At this point, the district is hoping to avoid asking for a levy, Wing said.

"We're trying very hard to not ask voters to approve any more funds," Wing said.

Wing said the district actually took on more expenses to help families struggling in the current economic situation. The schools cancelled the pay-to-play athletic fees and asked teachers not to require any funds from parents for field trips.

"We're trying to be responsible and appreciative of the funds situation parents and the community is in," Wing said.

The 2011-12 budget will be the bigger challenge, Wing said, as stimulus funds and other resources fall out.

"We tried to use stimulus funds for support for struggling kids," Wing said, noting this came through curriculum and professional development mostly, but there is one full-time special education position created from those funds.