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Schools
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NSCSD announces proposed budget for 2011-2012 ... Page 6
Watkins leads to state indoor meet
eaglestarreview.com Volume 119, No. 9 March 2 to 8, 2011
Community
Schools
CHM helps out the SSO
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School budget crunch
Liverpool proposal cuts 30 jobs, adds 4.4 percent tax hike By Caitlin Donnelly
Children’s program entices literacy, educational interactions. ...See page 3
Call and get your free copy of the new Wedding Planner Book.
... Page 11
editor@eaglenewsonline.com
Story Time at LPL
Getting Married?
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During the Feb. 28 Liverpool Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Richard Johns presented his 2011-2012 budget proposal before the board and a full house of students, teachers, parents and Liverpool residents. In his proposal, Dr. Johns announced his $132,852,400 budget, which calls for a 4.4 percent tax increase for local residents. This 20112012 proposed budget is only 1.2 percent higher than the $131,277,809 budget that was adopted for the 2010-2011 school year, and actually less than the $132,981,924 budget adopted during the 2008-9009 school year. To make up for the $11.5 million shortfall in state aid due to Governor Cuomo’s proposed state budget, Dr. Johns suggested 30 personnel cuts from Liverpool Central School District staffing, which he broke down to 16 teachers, five teaching assistants, two administrators, four support staff, and three from operations and maintenance. This was then compared to the 130 positions cut during last school year’s budgeting. During the presentation, he stated he was trying to keep as many teachers in the classrooms and eliminate as few teachers as pos-
sible. Other cuts included $699,256 in off-site student programming. Dr. Johns also gave his FOCUS Academy proposal during the presentation. He outlined the program as a 90-student alternative education path designed for kids that are not having success in high school and have no drug or violence issues. Eleven personnel—including seven full time, and four part time positions shared by the high school—would make up the FOCUS Academy staff. Equipment, technology and supplies would be budgeted in to Liverpool High School spending, and custodial staffing would be used from LHS. The presentation also included a breakdown of Dr. Johns’ technology plan, which included $2.7 million in purchases on technology equipment, including classroom projectors and laptop computers; and leasing of an additional 500 laptops for grades 10 through 12. Prior to the budget presentation, Liverpool resident Sharon Yager addressed the board with a written letter questioning the district’s spending and motives, and announcing the circulation of a petition for the resignation of Dr. Johns to be signed by local residents. For Dr. Johns’ PowerPoint budget presentation, and a complete line budget, visit Liverpool.
Winter break at LPL
Superintendent Richard Johns k12.ny.us and click on the “school budget info” link under Liverpool CSD News. The board will hold a public work session to discuss the budget at 7 p.m. next Monday at the District Offices. While the meeting is open to the public and attendance is welcome, board members Stacey Balduf and Patricia DeBonaRosier stressed that no public input can be heard at the informal sessions. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 28 at the District Offices, 195 Blackberry Road.
Buerkle draws SRO crowd
New congresswoman sings praises of the private sector
Chestnut Hill Middle School students raise money to help save the SSO, pie teachers in the face in the process. ...See page 7
By Russ Tarby
Calendar....................2 Classifieds............... 20 Editorial.....................4 Obituaries. .............. 18 School news..............6 Sports...................... 11
Caitlin Donnelly
Liz West enjoys an afternoon of summer fun with her granddaughters Keturah, 6, and Amalia West,4, during the Beach Blanket Luau at Liverpool Public Library on Feb. 23. Here, the trio makes paper plate sun visors. Visit eaglestarreview.com for more photos of the winter break event.
A standing-room-only crowd of more than 370 Central New York residents turned out for Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle’s first-ever town hall meeting Feb. 22 at Salina Town Hall. The new congresswoman, a Republican who edged out incumbent Democrat Dan Maffei in last November’s election in the state’s 25th District, addressed topics ranging from energy to education, from Medicaid to the military. Several of the 18 persons who rose to ask questions clearly disagreed with Buerkle’s conservative viewpoints while several others applauded her faith in the free-market
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system. Syracuse Peace Council member Ann Please see Buerkle, page 9
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