State budget crunches local numbers
Published: June 10, 2009
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The state senate took a slash and burn approach to its budget bill passed in early May. If approved, substantial funding to libraries, school districts and local fairs is in jeopardy.
Governor Ed Rendell’s proposed budget recommended a five percent cut in public library aid. The senate version superseded the amount not only in funding but also in programs.
For the Susquehanna County Library system, the proposed cuts amount to roughly $150,000 if passed, according to Sue Stone, library administrator.
The senate also recommended the removal of inter-library loan services.
That service allows library users to borrow books from other libraries in the state system not available at the local branches.
Also on the senate’s chopping block, according to Stone, is the Power Library and databases of on-line resources. “High school students use those significantly for research papers,” said Stone.
“[The cuts] will have a very serious impact,” said Stone. “It’s really going to seriously impact not only what we do but also the resources we have.”
Stone said that if the senate budget passed the library would most likely respond by reducing its hours of operation and programs offers. “The worst would be reductions to staff,” said Stone.
But the local libraries are not remaining quiet. “We’re trying to make our voices heard,” said Stone. She said a letter writing bee was held at all the county library branches last week and estimates over 150 letters were sent to state legislators and the governor.
Stone said that during a recession, library use historically increases. People use the library computers and internet services to conduct job searches. Plus people are more likely to check out books rather than purchase them during economic downturns, Stone added.
“To me, it’s much more than a 50 percent cut [in funding],” said Stone. “We’re not not only losing dollars but losing programs.”
But the library administrator admitted there are no magic solutions to the issue.
Although federal stimulus dollars have been touted for education spending, those funds are earmarked for special education and Title 1 programs only.
Local school districts are also preparing for budget issues with proposed tax increases and hard-line looks at spending.
“As it stands now, there is no increase to school districts in basic education funding,” said Loren Small, business director of Blue Ridge School District.
Small indicated that the state flat-funded education. He also said local sources of revenue have also virtually flat lined.
However, the cost of running schools has not decreased but neither the Blue Ridge nor the Montrose districts are looking to any specific cuts at this point.
Small said Blue Ridge’s self-funded medical insurance savings helped offset the revenue crunch as did heating the school with wood chips.
Blue Ridge saved an estimated $140,000 burning wood chips and plans to do the same next winter.
But the Blue Ridge District adopted a proposed budget that calls for a one mil tax increase. It is the district’s first tax hike in seven yers.
Montrose superintendent Michael Ognosky said the district will not raise taxes this year. “We will be able to maintain the same tax basis as last year (no increase) - but we have examined every position as it becomes open and there may be positions that are dropped between now and the beginning of the next school year should they become vacated by resignation or retirement.”
Ognosky said the district is examining everything - professional staff positions, support staff positions, transportation routes, etc.
“I am very concerned about the proposed Senate budget. That proposal (Senate Bill 850) provides for no increase in the Basic Education Subsidy from last year and replaces the state funds proposed in the Governor's budget with one time federal funds from Economic Stimulus Funds for Title I and IDEA funding,” said Ognosky.
“The proponents of Senate Bill 850 argue that school districts will receive substantial education funding increases from the federal stimulus which, they say, is an adequate education funding increase in this difficult fiscal environment. This information is incomplete and inaccurate,” said the superintendent.
Title 1 and IDEA funds can be used only for certain students and programs. In the Montrose district that less than one-half of the students qualify for those programs, according to Ognosky.
Small agreed saying the IDEA and Title 1 funds from stimulus are a “one-to-two-year deal.”
“It is two year money that will result in increased local tax effort two years from now if we utilize it.” said Ognosky. “It can't be used to replace state and local revenues to fill budget holes caused by the flat line Basic Education Funding proposed in Senate Bill 850.”
These two special, limited funding sources (Title 1 and IDEA) can only be used to pay for special education and Title 1 services. They can't be used to make up for lost revenue or maintain programs that service the rest of the school population,” Ognosky commented.
The Harford Fair may also see its allocation from the state cut this year, said Nancy Tyler fair secretary.
She said the state provides money to the fair to cover the premiums paid to winners. Last year, the Harford Fair received $29,000 in funds from the state for premium pay-outs.
Tyler said the Pennsylvania State Fair Association is advising fairs to come up with a plan of action if the state funding dries up. Some fairs are reducing pay-outs and adjusting fees but, to date, the Harford Fair has not instituted any changes.
The state also usually offers matching funds for fairground improvement projects. A few years ago, the stage was rebuilt using the state’s matching funds.
This year, a parking lot improvement project is on tap for the field across from the fairgrounds. Tyler says they will proceed with the project, apply for the matching funds and see what happens.
If we receive it - we receive it, “said Tyler. “If not still, we’re still going to do it anyway.”
