"We would like to thank the council for their reconsideration and compromise," said BOE President Mary Walter.  "We would also like to thank the parents, staff and community members for their support in making this agreement possible.  You participated in the democratic process and your voice was heard.  Now we wish to move forward in planning a new school year."

Superintendent of Schools, David Trethaway, explained the process that led to this agreement.  He said that after the school budget was defeated in the April school election, representatives from the school district met with the township to review the budget several times in early May, reaching an agreement on May 12 to reduce the district budget by $108,644.  This reduction was in addition to the $1.8 million that was originally cut from the budget before the election, due to a reduction in state funding.  At a special meeting on May 18, the Town Council decided not to approve the agreement that was negotiated.  Instead they recommended a cut of over $1 million. 

Because the township's cuts were based on a wage freeze for teachers that could not legally be imposed, the resolution the township drafted to cut $1 million did not satisfy the requirement the town council is charged with to provide specific line item cuts to the budget.  Therefore, it was rejected by the County Superintendent.  

"Without an agreement, the school budget would go directly to the Commissioner of Education for review.  In addition to the 22 positions and other cuts already made, the state would be considering items such as eliminating courtesy busing along with additional staff and program cuts," said Trethaway.

Negotiations with township began again at the end of May.  District representatives met with members of the Town Council and the County Superintendent and Business Administrator on May 25 to discuss the impact it would have on the district if the million dollar cut remained.   

The district provided a list to the Council of what would need to be done to make cuts at various levels of tax levy decrease.  Based on this information, a new resolution was drafted by the Council to rescind the $1 million cut and recommend a cut of $144,622. This resolution was approved by a 3-2 vote at the June 1 special town council meeting.  

The $144K cut consists mainly of wage freezes and contract concessions agreed to by administrators, supervisors and central office staff, whose contracts were up for renewal.   Also cut were two additional assistant coach positions at the high school and $25K in equipment and supplies. 

"It is important to note that after reviewing the budget for over three weeks, the council did not find any significant reductions.  They thought it was a very tight budget," Trethaway commented.  "Thankfully, no additional programs or staff will be cut as a result of this agreement.  I do want to make clear, though, that the original cuts to the budget, made before the election, still stand, and that they are the result of the state cutting our state aid by 34%.  These cuts were not a result of anything the township or the school board did."

Trethaway thanked the administrative and central office staff for agreeing to contract concessions and commended the teaching staff for their professionalism throughout the process.  "They chose not to reopen their contract at this point and it is their right to do so." he said. 

"I also want to thank the parents, residents, and staff members for their support over the past few weeks.  Your efforts absolutely made a difference and we hope you will continue to be active in the budget process and school election in the future so that this does not happen again."