This morning's Ithaca Journal visits the Dryden School District as they try to sort out their budget for next year in the face of challenges, including a 40% increase in utility costs, which have already caused problems for this year's budget. Fuel costs are expected to climb 15%, benefits 12%, and contractual obligations 4%. Superintendent Mark Crawford hopes to reduce staffing through attrition. Based on the Governor's budget, a 14% tax levy increase might be necessary to cover a 7.5% budget increase, but district business manager Teresa Carnrike hopes the legislature will add to the Governor's budget as usual.
On the opinion page, Gry Wildenstein of Freeville writes to support the publication of cartoons of Mohammed and condem the response.
Posted by simon at March 23, 2006 7:24 AM in Ithaca Journal , politics (national) , schools (Dryden)