February 10, 2010

Good to Great February 2010 Hilton Strategic Plan Update

When I assumed the role of Superintendent in 2005, I completed an Entry plan process to gather information about the district so that my future plans were based upon current reality and not on any pre-conceived ideas I brought to the position. As a result of this entry process, a District Strategic Plan was developed in 2006 that reflected the philosophy and needs of the schools and local community.   During past three years we have implemented the initial Strategic Plan and its priority improvement areas to strengthen the organization and build on past success.  We have made meaningful gains during this time period and have achieved some of the identified goals. In order to move the District forward in the next three years, it has been necessary for me to reflect on my own work and the work of the District to determine where we are and where we need to be headed in the in the future.   Following an examination of the District’s current state, I have developed a new Strategic Plan as a means to lead the District to new heights the next three years. Working with the Board of Education in this endeavor, we have finalized this process and the Board formally approved the 2010 – 2013 Strategic Plan at their January 26 meeting. The new Strategic Plan Priority Improvement Areas outlined graphically below reflects what we believe to be the future needs and focus of the District.  [Chart Below]  I will be attending staff meetings, parent and community forums to provide more details about the plan in February and March.          

Strategic Plan Framework 2010-13

2010 – 2011 Budget Update  

Governor Patterson’s proposed state budget that was unveiled in January has created one of the most challenging budget seasons in decades. The proposed state budget recommends the reduction of $3.2 million in state aid to the Hilton Central School District; a 10% aid reduction.  The potential loss of state aid is twice the amount proposed last year at this time. To put this into perspective, if we roll over the current budget and include anticipated increases in health care, retirement, BOCES and contractual obligations and apply the proposed state aid reduction, the result will be a 17.69% increase in the local property tax rate.  Clearly this is an unacceptable level for the district and community to consider and cause for concern.  We have never experienced a reduction in state aid of this magnitude. Following discussions with the Board of Education, leadership team and bargaining unit leaders, we have implemented a number of mid-year cuts in 2009-10 to reduce our current level of spending and better prepare ourselves for an uncertain future.    As we look to 2010-11, we again are examining all areas budgeted areas including non-staff codes, personnel and programmatic expenditures in an effort to reduce costs and develop a responsible school budget.  Our district budget committees, school leaders and Board of Education are considering all options as we develop next year’s budget that will be put before the voters on Tuesday, May 18.  If the governor’s proposed budget is enacted or the state fails to approve an on-time budget by April 1, this district will be forced to make some difficult and painful decisions that will adversely impact employees, the organization and our community.  I have been addressing staff at meetings recently to provide some details and answer questions on the subject.   If you have comments or ideas on the district’s budget during the development phase, I encourage you to contact me, Steve Ayers or a budget committee representative.  I also want to encourage every employee to take responsibility for reducing costs or increasing efficiency in your area of responsibility.  

Sincerely, Dave