Though the school district cautioned Katonah-Lewisboro community members in recent weeks about potential cuts in next year's budget, the advanced warning may not soften the blow. 

Superintendent Robert Roelle's proposed budget includes a 2.58% increase over last year—from $107,811,326 to $110,591,508—and includes the proposed elimination of a whopping 43 positions, the majority of them on the instructional side. 

John Jay High School stands to lose as many as 8 teachers; the middle school could lose 6; and the elementary schools would have about 7 fewer instructors.

In addition, several counselor and academic coaching positions may be cut—including the Sustainability Coach, a position added just three years ago when the district revamped its food service program.

Elementary students will spend less time in art and music class next year if this budget passes; music falls to once per week (students currently attend twice per week) and art instruction drops from 60 minutes to 45 minutes per week. Instrumental music is retained for 4th and 5th graders.

While the elementary foreign language program would expand to include 3rd graders, 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders would have reduced Spanish instructional time. Middle schoolers would see a phasing out of Latin over the next three years. 

Not all proposed cuts mean a lost job. In some cases, Roelle said, the staff members are being reclassified elsewhere in the district—for example, a social worker will transition to a special education chair position.  

There's a chance that some of the positions could be restored if state aid changes, said Board of Education President Michael Gordon, though it's not likely.

"When a position is eliminated, the teacher let go is on standby," Gordon said. "Should the situation in Albany change, then we would try to return teachers to their jobs. But it's not looking good."

The district stands to lose $646,000 in state aid if Governor Paterson's budget is adopted on April 1. 

Elementary class sizes are projected to be similar to current levels but in some cases enrollment changes led to dropping a section. Fourth grade classes at Meadow Pond, Increase Miller and Lewisboro would see the biggest jump, growing to 26 students per class.

Major reasons cited for the budget increase include mandated state retirement costs for employees, employee health care costs and contractually scheduled salary increases.

In an attempt to avoid some of the proposed cuts, the school board had asked the teacher's union to accept a voluntary wage freeze for next year. The offer was rejected by union president Sandy Grebinar on Feb. 1.

When asked if any further talks had occurred with Grebinar, Gordon acknowledged discussions but would only say they were "unproductive, despite my best intentions to engage her."

The next budget meeting is Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the John Jay High School library.

Read a copy of the budget here.