School officials unsure about aid

Sen. Charles Schumer's office has estimated that if school funding provided by new federal legislation were to be distributed equally in accordance with Governor Paterson's suggested aid-reduction strategy, Hewlett-Woodmere could receive as much as $307,000. However, the state has yet to release the actual funding formula — meaning that the estimate, for now, is just that. Both the Hewlett-Woodmere and Lawrence school districts are unsure of how, exactly, the legislation will affect them.

Last week the U.S. House of Representatives joined the Senate in passing legislation that will provide more Medicaid funding to the states.Until last week, school district officials were worried that Congress would provide less money for the program than New York state was expecting, which would force the state to make up the difference — and most likely reduce the amount it had allocated for school aid. But the House action may give districts some budgetary breathing room.

Medicaid, the health program for the poor, is financed jointly by the federal and state governments.

The state finally passed a budget —on Aug. 3, 125 days late — which did not appear to be a consolation to either the Lawrence or Hewlett-Woodmere district, as both continue to fight constraints on spending.

"We're in new territory here," said Peter Weber, Hewlett-Woodmere's assistant superintendent for business. "The legislation is massive -- people are combing through it."

Weber added, ‘[W]e do not know how much state aid will be lost when and if the governor determines that midyear cuts in aid are required. If a decision is announced in the next few weeks, school districts may be able to apply federal funds to partially offset losses in state funding.”

Weber indicated at an Aug. 10 school board meeting that the money would likely be used statewide to replace school staff members that have been laid off, but that the "impact on Hewlett-Woodmere will be very small."

Hewlett-Woodmere trustee Howard Kislik, who was also grappling with the meaning of the legislation said, "The big irony of it is, you can't actually use it to hire teachers."

"Apparently the jobs-fund money may be applied to staff costs in either the 2010-11 school year or the following year," said Weber. If that is true, he said, school districts could use these funds to offset rising expenses next year, a move that could be good for both employees and

taxpayers.

"We've looked at the budget," said Hewlett-Woodmere board President Stephanie Gould. "Since we've had a bad economy, we've had to prepare ... we could accommodate for any shortfalls the state may have."

The Lawrence district's deputy superintendent, Gary Schall, was also unsure of the particulars of the bill. "It's really good news, but it's too early to tell what, exactly, it means," Schall said. "We have to verify with the state ... exactly what the implications are."

He added, "We will not burden the taxpayer in making up the shortfall. We will work harder, shop smarter and better restructure [the district]."

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