Welcome to the Watkins Glen
Central School District
Click Here to Read this Important Memo regarding parking for school events.
WGHS Library Pages
School calendar has changed for May. Watkins Glen schools will not be in session May 24 and 25. ES/MS Chorus Concert on May 23.
Click here for the full press release.
Click Here for 2012-13 Proposed Budget for Public Review
Click Here for a Q&A to Understanding the Proposed Budget under the New Tax Levy Legislation
Click Here for The New Rules for Budget Votes
Click Here for NYSSBA Tax Cap Q&A
Click Here for recent Budget Information
Click Here for recent Capital Improvement Information
Click Here for Revenue Loss Report for District
A Message from the Superintendent
Dear Students, Parents and Residents of the Watkins Glen Central School District:
You may have heard reports in the local media this week about the difficult financial choices the Board of Education and district administrators are wrestling with. I wanted to take this opportunity to address these reports and make certain that you have access to three key pieces of information that are driving our budget proposals for the 2012-13 school year.
First, our district has lost a total of $927,258 in operating aid from New York State since 2009.
Second, this year, we are developing our budget without the benefit of $1.2 million in Federal Jobs money that has buoyed us during the previous three years. With these funds, we were able to limit staff reductions.
These two factors create this scenario: If our operation costs were to remain the same, we would be left with a total revenue deficit of $1,971,129 for the 2012-13 school year. Staying near the newly-enacted two percent tax cap, we can only generate an additional $209,000 in local tax dollars next year.
The third factor that is driving our decision-making is a significant drop in enrollment. Since 1980, our enrollment has dropped from 1,693 to 1,203, a reduction of nearly 500 students. Beginning in 2013, no grade in the district will exceed 100 students.
Watkins Glen Central School District Student Enrollment (1980 to present)
| 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2012 |
| 1,693 | 1,463 | 1,447 | 1,215 | 1,203 |
In short, we have less money to work with, but we also have fewer students. For the past several years, we have looked for every cost-saving measure we can employ, including consolidating our facilities to one campus and reducing to a single bus run. Few options remain that will allow us to maintain programs for students. We have lost 17 staff positions in the last two years. One option on the table at this point is another 15-position reduction of our staff at a cost savings of $1,055,497.
I’ll be the first to tell you that this is a painful option for everyone involved. However, because our enrollment has dropped significantly, this measure will still allow us to preserve programs, although they may be offered differently. Obviously, our preference would be to maintain and even enhance our current programming for students. The reality is, we simply cannot afford to do that.
The budget development process is ongoing. The next meeting of the Board of Education will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 5 at the High School. Please, attend, listen to the discussion and offer your feedback. We appreciate your continued support of our work.
Sincerely,
Tom Phillips
Superintendent
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Our Public Schools Need Your Support Now
Make your voice heard. Sign the petition by clicking here and send a message to Albany.
Last year, our public schools experienced a $1.3 billion cut in state support and the imposition of a 2% property tax cap. This resulted in the loss of valuable programs and services for kids and the loss of more than 11,000 educators and staff through layoffs and attrition. Over the past three years, more than 30,000 teaching and staff positions have been eliminated.
This year, the Executive Budget proposes the restoration of $805 million in support to public schools. Unfortunately, $250 million is carved out in the form of a competitive grant program enacted as part of last year's state budget.
While the $805 million restoration proposed in the Executive Budget will help our schools build upon their progress, the decision to dedicate $250 million to a competitive program that will only benefit a few select districts is inappropriate and unfair.
Ask our lawmakers in Albany, to move the $250 million increase from the competitive grant program into general operating aid, increasing support to all public schools. The addition of $250 million in general operating aid will allow all school districts greater flexibility as they work to restore critical programs and/or services for students within the confines of the 2% property tax cap law.
In this environment, it is simply unfair to award scarce resources to a handful of school districts when an overwhelming number of school districts have significant resource needs.
Every dollar in the classroom counts!
Click here to view the District Audit Report for 2010-2011
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Click on the PaySchools logo to view your child's lunch balance and to add to their account.
Download the 2011-2012 Calendar - Full Calendar or One Page Version
Click here to check your district email
Official student school hours:
Elementary School – 8:50 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (early dismissal at 12:05 p.m.)
Middle School – 7:25 a.m. – 2:24 p.m. (early dismissal at 11:05 p.m.)
High School – 7:30 a.m. – 2:14 p.m. (early dismissal at 10:55 a.m.)
Click Here to view the WG Virtual Sports Hall of Fame Gallery
A View of WGCSD from Above! Click Here for Some Fun!
Click here to view/print form for access to your child's school information.
Click here to view/print Parent Portal Instructions
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