School districts are apparently not immune to the recent plague of layoffs; just days after Syracuse University announced it would cut 48 positions, word got out that West Genesee Central School District would follow suit. In an attempt to close a $5 million gap by next year, the district would probably be forced to lay off between nine and 11 employees, West Genesee Superintendent Brown said. He said the move would be finalized by the end of the month. “West Genesee is creating a building budget based on what the governor said the district would get,” Brown said. He added that a change in the governor’s proposal or a stimulus package could change the decision. Governor David A. Paterson proposed a $1.4 billion cut to education funding in December. “Right now, we’re planning for the worst, hoping for the best,” Brown said.
He dispelled rumors that the district planned to cut 40 jobs, and said he hoped not to cut more than 11 positions at the most. The district plans to cut about $1 million in staffing and program expenses, though the numbers are tenative and nothing is final, Brown said.