Maine-Endwell School District Faces Big Budget Defecit

12/6/2012 (Updated 11:05:53 PM)

ENDWELL -- The Maine-Endwell School District is facing unexpected cuts after new numbers show it is facing a $3.8 million deficit.
 
The district said increased costs, including a 35% increase in pension payments, combined with it draining it's reserve funds, have caused the deficit.

The school district has spent $5.5-million dollars in reserves the past two years to minimize cuts.

Although it did eliminate almost 24 positions, including 14 teachers last year. more cuts are now on the way.

"How are we going to address the imbalance? It's not a one-year fix. We realize that. and we no longer have the funds to fill the gap from expenses to revenues," said M-E superintendent Jason Van Fossen.
 
Van Fossen said he will work with the school board to come up with a three to five year plan to make the cuts necessary to deal with the budget deficit.

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