Calhoun: Valley Central in a tough spot

Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun’s granddaughter went to Maybrook Elementary School, so she knows what the small school means to the community.

But, she also said Tuesday, that the district and the state are in a tough spot when it comes to cutting budgets.

New York State is facing a $7.4 billion budget gap; Valley Central is facing a $5.2 million one, in part because of proposed state aid cuts.

Those are daunting numbers. And if state legislators restore school funding, instead of accepting the governor’s proposed cuts, it means they’ll have to cut something else in the budget or raise taxes, Calhoun said.

Calhoun couldn’t say whether the state will be able to give schools more aid.

“We may have to learn to do without,” she said.

She did suggest a salary freeze on state employees statewide – including teachers – “because this is a crisis.” But, she acknowledges that would bring on a fight with the state’s powerful unions. Valley Central, though, could talk with its teachers to see whether they’re willing to sacrifice.

The Republican assemblywoman hopes, at the very least, that the majority Democrats bring a budget to the floor before the Passover and Easter break. That, Calhoun says, will at least give superintendents real numbers to work with.

Calhoun also called for legislators to give up their  “member items,” which fiscal conservatives refer to as “pork.” These are dollars given to each legislator’s pet projects, which last year amounted to $148 million.