A 34% reduction in state aid for 2010-11 has resulted in major cuts being made to the Manchester Township School District's proposed budget, including the elimination of 22 staff positions and reductions in sports, activities, and after-school busing.

"The state aid reduction of $2.3 million amounted to 5% of our total operating budget for this year," explained Superintendent of Schools David Trethaway. To make up for the $2.3 million loss, Trethaway said that $1.8 million in line item cuts were made and $500,000 was added to the local tax levy in order to avoid complete elimination of courses, programs and activities. The proposed school tax rate of 97.5 cents would result in an increase of $8.00 per month on the average home assessment of $194,100.

Trethaway said the budget cuts were made in the following areas:

• Twenty-two staff positions were eliminated, including 8 teachers, along with custodians, bus drivers, secretaries and an elementary school counselor.  Some stipend positions and one assistant coach for each sport were also eliminated.

• Middle School Industrial Arts, Elementary World Language, and Elementary Instrumental Music courses were eliminated.

• Middle School and High School sports programs were reduced, although no program was completely eliminated.  Freshman Girls & Boys Basketball, Freshman Boys Baseball, and Freshman Girls Softball were eliminated.  The reduction in assistant coaches will result in fewer students being able to participate in sports.

• Late afternoon school bus runs for sports were eliminated. Earlier after school runs for clubs and extra help were maintained.

• The extended school year (Jumpstart) program was reduced from five to four days a week.

• Textbook and technology purchases were reduced.

• Professional development opportunities were modified.

Trethaway said that the budget maintains the full day kindergarten program; new courses at the high school in Honors Social Studies, Honors Biology, AP Psychology and Financial Literacy; the replacement of some textbooks; and important staff development programs to improve instruction.  Most class sizes will remain the same, with only slight increases in a few areas.

"Some districts chose to make up for the state aid cuts completely through the local tax levy.  We did not do that and we had to make some very difficult decisions," said Trethaway.  "We did our best to maintain most of our existing programs and keep class sizes stable while minimizing the impact to local taxpayers.  Our operating budget for 2010-11 reflects a 1.37% decrease from 2009-10 and our cost per pupil is also down.  We believe we have crafted a fiscally responsible and educationally sound budget that the community can support. If this budget is defeated, further cuts could be devastating to our educational program."