(Rochester, N.Y.) – The Rochester City School District faces an estimated $95 million deficit for the 2011-2012 school year, according to a district spokesman.
“We are in a very desperate situation,” said school board member Willa Powell.
The deficit would be the largest in district history. It accounts for about 15 percent of the district’s total budget.
The district had forecasted a budget deficit of $83 million last spring, but state aid cuts are now expected. The district also faces increases in health care, salaries, and pension costs.
Making matters worse, federal stimulus aid and Race to the Top funding has run out.
“The federal aid was a stop gap measure, but when the money dries up, it’s been termed the funding cliff. We knew this was coming,” said Powell.
Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard will announce his budget in the coming weeks.
Rochester Teachers Association President Adam Urbanski said it’s too early to estimate the deficit, because state aid figures haven’t been released. The governor will release his budget next month.
“I think they’re saying, ‘How big can we make the deficit?’ so that it will be sufficient to lower expectations in contract negotiations,” Urbanski said. “I would be reticent to admit such a deficit. It would be a mistake to take them at their word.”
