The in-fighting in Albany over the state budget means school districts have no clue how much they will get in aid. Time is running short on budget planning and preparation.
Olean Superintendent Colleen Taggerty is in an unusual situation since her district has been hit so hard by aid cuts in the last few years it's going into this budget process in "stable" condition. That reflects closing two schools, cutting staff and, cutting programs.
In the fight between legislators and Governor Cuomo, he won't release tentative figures on aid to schools.
"We're worried. We're worried. I'm being quite honest," said Lancaster Superintendent Michael Vallely.
"That's why we are advocating as much as possible to have people lobby and advocate for us, getting state aid runs. Because with state aid runs, at least knowing what we could potentially get would make our jobs and lives a lot easier."
Vallely and Taggerty and other superintendents also have to get a budget together in time for a decision by district voters.
Buffalo doesn't have that but deals in much larger dollars, $15 million more just to maintain the system without any additions like smaller classes or more gym classes.
