New Lebanon School Board Firing Teachers To Control Tax Levy

by Phil Zema
Like most school districts throughout the area, the New Lebanon School District faces difficult economic times. A number of inevitable aid cuts, revenue losses and expense hikes may financially cripple the District. Because of the District’s overall wealth, the state has reduced its aid donations. For instance, in the past BOCES gave New Lebanon 25.67% back on school expenses; the District will now only get 16.08% back. In all, the financial losses amount to roughly $340,000. Accordingly, New Lebanon, if it adopts a budget similar to last year’s, may increase its tax levy by 3.89%.
New Lebanon’s School Board is striving to keep school tax levies close to 0%. Yet because of state aid cuts, unless the District reduces its 2010-2011 budget, this goal is unattainable. To overcome this problem, the District is seeking ways to increase revenue and decrease expenditures. Increasing the cost of school lunches, going to a one-bell bus system and cutting back on resources have been considered. A number of cost-saving mechanisms have been implemented, but to the dismay of many residents, one strategy has been to cut several faculty positions. The high school is strongly considering the removal of two instructional positions; the elementary school is already intending to eliminate a physical education job.
There was public outcry against removing the business teaching position. To express their disapproval, several audience members spoke in defense of Richard Baldwin’s teaching position. Baldwin teaches business, and it was argued that the subject’s merits were too valuable to compromise. This sentiment was shared by several Board members, especially Timothy Smith. The meeting had opened with a presentation from Glenn Giumarra, the high school’s chemistry/physics teacher. He vehemently defended the value of Baldwin’s courses, which include business law and web design. Such courses, Giumarra claimed, teach students essential intellectual and professional skills, skills imperative to many facets of life. While a dearth of enrollment has been cited as a reason for eliminating these courses, he was adamant that the school could schedule business courses at more convenient times. Doing so, the courses would likely receive higher turnouts.
Courtney Potter, a former student of Baldwin’s, stressed the importance of the business courses. Currently an accounting major, Potter claimed the courses gave her a comparative advantage over her peers at SUNY Albany. The skills she acquired in Baldwin’s courses enabled her to enter the business school as a freshman, a rare feat. Although business courses are electives, Potter argued that they are integral to one’s future success.
The consensus was that the administration needed to investigate all possibilities before hastily eliminating Baldwin’s position. The administration plans to study past enrollment numbers and student interests. By doing so, they will learn whether it is in the District’s best interest to terminate Baldwin’s position. In the end the Board tabled its decision on Baldwin. The Board did, however, vote to eliminate a literacy teacher’s position (the name of the teacher was not specified), and a part-time mechanic’s position was terminated as well.
Winter Olympics
In honor of the 2010 Winter Olympics, the Walter B. Howard Elementary school held its own opening and closing ceremonies. Throughout the games, each grade represented a country and took part in a number of fun and educational activities.
Sports Honors
Tom Laier, Alex French, Tony Hindes and Rachel Ferris, members of the NL/Berlin swim team, were named to the All-Berkshire swim team.
Bryan Potter was named the CHVL Co-MVP for basketball, and teammate Mike Gavrity made Second Team; Kyle McHugh and Todd Ferguson made Honorable Mention.
Principal Whitcomb commended the girls varsity basketball team for persevering through a difficult season. Mainly composed of freshman, they finished the season with only five players, but the team never gave up.
NL Students At Tech Valley High
New Lebanon now has two students at Tech Valley High, a technology-intensive school that focuses on innovative learning techniques. Sophomore Dallas Carr, who attends Tech Valley, gave a presentation outlining his learning experience. While the school emphasizes math, science and technology, Carr’s education has been supplemented with physical education and humanity courses. Such courses fuse regular education courses with the school’s emphasis on technology. He has also worked closely with a number of local businesses and organizations, including WAMC and Spiral Studio Design. Carr enthusiastically recommended Tech Valley, claiming the school has greatly enhanced his intellectual abilities.