Dear Friends,
 
As we approach the end of the calendar year, the economic challenges our friends, neighbors and families face are becoming more apparent.  The turn of economic conditions is being felt throughout our community – in our homes, in our businesses and in our local, state and national government municipalities. Many are making sacrifices to make ends meet.  With proposed reductions in state aid and loss of other revenues, our schools are also prepared to make sacrifies. 

Governor Paterson has requested that the New York State Legislature reduce the state’s budget by $2 billion, effective immediately. The legislature will consider the Governor’s recommendation in January.  Should the legislature approve, this could mean a loss of nearly $950,000 in state aid revenue for HF-L in the current school year.  The District also anticipates losses in revenue from lower sales tax revenue and interest earnings, and from programs designed to be self sustaining, including the school lunch program and community education program.

In response to the Governor’s proposal and other projected revenue losses, the Honeoye Falls – Lima School District has put an immediate spending freeze into place, and is considering further budget reductions for the current school year. As the District awaits the legislature’s response, areas for potential reductions are being identified and will be reviewed by the Board of Education on December 9.  School officials, as well as members of Decision Input Units, School Improvement Teams and the Program Budget Advisory Council are reviewing the current year’s budget and finding additional opportunities for cost containment, efficiencies, resource reallocation and prioritization of needs.  All areas of school expenditures are being studied.  

With the state deficit estimated at $12.5 billion for the coming fiscal year, it is evident that schools will continue to face reductions in aid.  Should the proposed reductions become reality, the District will need to look beyond traditional areas considered for reduction. The District’s proposed spending plan for 2009-10, which is currently in development, will reflect the economic conditions in which we are living, and will be based on the most current data and information available.  No segment of the District’s current spending plan will be exempt from potential reductions.

We have conquered such financial challenges as these before, and we will overcome them again. One of the great strengths of HF-L is that we have a process in place to manage this type of change and instability. Community input is invited and appreciated.  Comments and suggestions can be made to us or to Phil Burrows at Philip_Burrows@hflcsd.org. 

We will continue to provide the highest quality education for all of our students, and will do our very best to ensure that any loss of revenue has the least impact possible on our schools and our taxpayers. On behalf of our students, we are deeply grateful for the support of staff and community. We have confidence that compassion, creativity and sound reason will guide the difficult decisions we will face together.

Sincerely,

Michelle Kavanaugh, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Dick Rasmussen, Ed.D.
Board of Education President