WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. October 16,2009: Governor  David Paterson's extensive budget reduction plans announced yesterday, if enacted  as planned will cost the city school district $1,392,027, a 9% reduction in state school aid for 2009-10, not 4.5% as stated in the Governor's news release, according to Fred Seiler, Assistant Superintendent for Business.

Seiler said that the school aid cuts are on a sliding scale with wealthier school districts paying 9%, and they include Harrison, Mamaroneck, Eastchester and Rye, according to a printout Seiler received Friday morning from the state. He said for example that while White Plains may lose 9% of its $13,736,444 the state said the district would receive this fiscal year, while Mount Vernon School District would lose only 3.5% and Yonkers 2.88%.

WPCNR estimated the district would lose 4.5% or about $500,000 based on the Governor's news release, but this is not the case. Seiler said the district first found out about the proposed cut Friday morning. He said the district would do a few "what if" scenarios and "monitor" the situation. He said the bulk of the state aid is not paid until the spring, and that it is usually used to pay the school district share of the Teachers Retirement Fund payment in late fall, which this year is $7,030,535.