budget

WBTA reported this morning that Genesee Community College is asking the county for an additional $50,000 in support. Also in store for the next academic year is a tution increase of about $50 per full-time student per semester.

We asked the college why they needed the extra funds and just what would be funded and found a brief, slightly more detailed explanation of the increase on the college's Web site (published May 13):

A proposed $50,000 increase in support, from $1,836,374 to $1,886,374 from Genesee County, sponsor of the College. Genesee County support would be 6.1% of the total operating budget, the lowest percentage of support in the history of the College. Genesee County’s sponsor support during 2006-2007 was $966 per full-time-equivalent student, the lowest sponsor support ratio of any of SUNY’s 30 community colleges.

We're waiting to hear from the college about how long the increase would last. GCC's Web site implies that the increase is only included in the 2008-2009 budget.

By way of an explanation for the increase:

The budget ensures that Genesee will maintain program excellence and affordability, President Stuart Steiner told trustees. “Our commitment is to provide extraordinary education to our students, and to do so as cost-effectively as possible,” Dr. Steiner said. “For well over a quarter-century, we have maintained operating costs lower than those of our peers, yet we have developed a reputation across New York State and beyond for excellence and innovation.”

Overall, the total budget for GCC for the next year is up about 4.5 percent, from $29.5 million to $30.8 million.

Batavians passed their $39.4 million city school budget tonight by a vote of 429 to 135. Also decided in the voting booths:

• A proposition to renew the position of student representative on the Board of Education passed unanimously 446 to 88. School Board President Patrick Burk said the position comes up for renewal every two years or so, and that it was good to see such support from the community for it.
• A $5.7 million capital project that will mean further technology upgrades for the school was approved by a lesser margin of 386 to 136.
• Board of Education candidates Wayne Guenther and Steven Hyde were enthusiastically supported by voters. Guenther received 493 votes. Hyde pulled in 490. Both candidates ran unopposed. City school representatives said that there were some write-in votes, but no other candidate gained significant numbers. Burk said he is glad to have both men on the board.

See this post for more information about the budget.

All numbers were provided by Batavia City Schools.

In anticipation of the school budget vote Tuesday, outgoing Batavia City Schools Superintendent Richard Stutzman told the Daily News:

"First and foremost is the budget and the capital project. If both are successful, they will be turned over to (Business Administrator Scott Rozanski and (Assistant Superintendent) Margaret Puzio. I hope that when people take a look at how our students are doing, that they're getting a positive rate of return on their investment."

The $39.4 million school budget means a 2 percent tax decrease, making it pretty easy to accept, according to Stutzman.

Reporter Joanne Beck breaks down some of the expenses in the budget, which will include:

• $5,352,321 in security and technology upgrades
• and $352,102 for a new maintenance shop.

Technology upgrades include security cameras, card access for doors in and out of the school buildings, heating and air conditioning, wireless installations and improvements to the high school auditorium sound system.

That sounds like good news and wise spending for a school district that recently received national attention for its use of technology.

We've talked a lot lately about the quality of life issues in Batavia, about cleaning up neighborhoods, keeping them safe and prizing the many gems in the community — restaurants, architecture and parks, to name a few. Education should go up on that list, too, if you ask me.

It has been some years since I got out of college, yet I consider myself a student still, learning as much as I can every day.

On that same topic, a radio program this morning on NPR discussed Israel's 60th anniversary, and in particular the many great minds that the tiny, young nation has produced, despite its social turmoil. Several people interviewed in the broadcast attributed that intellectual success to a cultural pride in education, investing it with the importance it warrants.

So, before the vote Tuesday, take a close look at your school budget, weigh the pros and cons, look at what resources are gained for what spending — do your research. Do all that. But be sure to keep in mind that even if your own children aren't in school, your neighbor's children probably are, your grandchildren may soon be, and promoting a culture of education promotes a community of learners, and you can take it from there.

Voting begins at noon and ends at 9:00pm Tuesday at Robert Morris, Jackson or Batavia Middle School, "depending on your ward and district designation." Call (585) 343-2480 for more information. Or visit the school's Web site.

Voters passed the Richmond Memorial Library budget tonight. The results were: 245 votes in favor, 54 against. The total budget is about $1.15 million — about $40,000 more than last year. Also, library Board member Tracy Stokes was elected to a five-year term with a total of 284 votes.