2011-12 budget approved

Watervliet City School District residents approved the 2011-12 budget by a 336-146 margin. The district's budget for 2011-12 was just over $23 million. Incumbent  Mark Scully and Jeff Clermont were elected to the Watervliet Board of Education.

5.11.11

WES students interview superintendent about the proposed 2011-12 school budget

Students in the WVLT club recently questioned Dr. Padalino about details of the proposal going to vote on May 17. watch and learn

5.3.11

A conversation with Dr. Paul Padalino: Learn more about the 2011-12 proposed budget! Listen and learn

Board of Education adopts 2011-12 budget proposal

4.19.11

The Watervliet City School District's Board of Education met tonight to adopt the district's proposed budget for 2011-12. The $23,021,000 proposal reduces spending by 2.3 percent over last year. The proposal will increase the tax levy (money collected through taxes) by 2.0 percent. This increase translates into an ESTIMATED 2.7% increase in school tax rate (which equals an increase of approximately $24-$32 for a home assessed at $100,000.) REad more

Contact your elected leaders

The more our elected officials hear from you, their constituents, the better. That means send e-mails, make phone calls and mail letters telling your elected leaders just how the state budget negatively affects Watervliet. READ MORE

4.8.11

Teachers agree to health care concessions
On April 7, the Watervliet Teacher's Association voted overwhelmingly to agree to concessions in health care that will help the district bridge its budget gap. Read More

4.6.11

WCSD's new gym and our current budget situation are not related! READ DR. Padalino's blog

4.3.11

District, Union reach tentative agreement
Dr. Padalino met with Watervliet Teacher's Association leaders this morning to discuss ways that the union can collaborate with the district to address the current budget crisis. READ MORE

3.31.11

Legislature passes on-time budget, state aid restoration for WCSD "disappointing"

The Legislature passed the 2011-12 state budget late last night/early this morning. School districts around the state have spent the week eagerly awaiting the state aid runs to find out how much more money they would receive from the additional $270 million that was restored above the Governor's original proposal. The runs weren't available until around 9 pm last night, just before the education bill was brought to legislators for debate.

WCSD received an additional $111,815 in aid.

"I have to say I am very disappointed that we got such a small restoration," said Superintendent Dr. Paul Padalino. "However, every little bit counts when it comes to saving our educational program and the jobs of our employees. We're going to continue digging in our heels and working to find savings that allow us to maintain as much of our program and personnel as we can."

View Final school aid runs here

3.30.11

Third budget meeting discusses more extensive cuts, including staff layoffs

A standing-room only crowd was on hand last night to hear Dr. Padalino talk more about the district's 2011-12 budget proposal. Padalino told the crowd that  the district is looking at losing between 17-28 FTE positions to fill the $1.8 million budget gap. READ MORE

3.22.11

District holds second budget meeting, discusses potential cuts

Concerned community residents gathered last night at WJSHS to continue discussing the district's 2011-12 budget proposal. The district is facing a sizable budget gap due to reductions in state aid and increased costs. READ MORE

3.18.11

Padalino holds first meeting in budget discussion series

Concerned community residents gathered last night at WJSHS to discuss the district's 2011-12 budget proposal. READ MORE

3.14.11

WCSD to hold budget sessions

Dr. Paul Padalino will be hosting a series of meetings to discuss the district's 2011-12 budget proposal. All community members are welcome to attend.

"We are in the process of developing the most challenging budget we have faced during my time with the district," Padalino said. "The reality is, that we may have to make some very difficult decisions this year, so I hope that people will come out and be part of this important discussion."

Meetings on the following dates:

Thursday, March 17     view presentation (.pdf file)

Tuesday, March 22      View presentation (.pdf file)

Tuesday, March 29      View Presentation (.pdf file)

Thursday, April 7         View Presentation (.pdf file)

Tuesday, April 19        View Presentation (.pdf file)

 

3.9.11

Area Superintendents call for meaningful, long-term educational reform. READ MORE

2.4.11

Padalino warns of "challenging" budget season ahead

Watervliet City Schools would lose more than $873,063 in state aid from this year to next under the budget proposed by Governor Andrew Cuomo on February 1.  READ MORE