Alternative Cuts Proposed if Bakerville Stays Open

It was brought to my attention that alternative cuts had been proposed as a way to save money while keeping Bakerville School open.  Those cuts were discussed at the March 1, 2016 meeting.  During that meeting, the Board of Education voted to return to the February 2, 2016 budget with Bakerville closing.   Maybe the information below will help you understand why.

The cuts have not been given any air-time in any of the information passed around by the folks in the Coalition to Save Bakerville School political action committee.

I’m going to relate those cuts from the draft of the minutes from the March 1 meeting in order to refute the above political action committee’s contention that education will worsen if Bakerville closes.

The following is taken directly from the draft of the minutes, and they are cuts that are suggested to save money IF Bakerville remains open:

1.  Unemployment Costs at $30,000.
2.   Moving Costs at $13,000.
3.   Summer Custodians at $5,000.
4.   Wiring at $3,000.
5.   Professional Development at $20,000.
6.   Behavior Specialist at $20,000.
7.   Reading Materials at $10,000.
8.   STEM/TAG Programs at $11,000.
9.   Superintendent’s Salary Increase at $3,700.
10.   Spanish Teacher Salary and Benefits at $61,515.
11.   Music Teacher (2 Sections) at $17,000.
12.   Interventionist at $10,000.
13.   Maintenance at $5,800.

The items 5 through 13 with the exception of the raise for the Superintendent, point to a decrease in the value of New Hartford’s education if Bakerville School remains open.  So I can definitely say that the Coalition to Save Bakerville School’s comment that your child’s education will be affected is true, but not in the way they want you to think.   All of it points to a reduction of educational quality in New Hartford if Bakerville remains open.

I’m not willing to give up the opportunity for my grandchildren to learn Spanish in 5th and 6th grade.  Mr. Murphy confirmed at the meeting that the cut meant elimination of the Foreign Language Program.   Those cuts sound pretty scary to me.

I urge you to join me in voting “YES,” to close the school and consolidate with New Hartford Elementary.  The benefits are clear.