Forwarded message 

From: Henning, Valerie <vhenning@brewsterschools.oru>
Date: Wed, Apr 11,2018 at 6:42 PM

Subject: Budget decisions

To: staff <staff@brewsterschools.org?

CC: BOE 

 

Dear Colleagues,

Some terrible decisions had to be made last night to close a large budget gap that resulted in the
elimination of 13 positions affecting the ETA and AAB. Although these positions were vacant
due to retirements or resignations (one was an excellent leave replacement teacher) others will
feel the impact of these reductions. I wish that there was something else that could have been
done, but this was the last resort. I deeply regret the cuts that had to be made last night.

In addition, there was an embarrassing item placed on the agenda involving vacation buy back
days that caused anger and rage in the auditorium. Victor, Kathy, Michelle and I usually forgo
some vacation days because we need to come in. This includes the summer. There are only so
many days that can be rolled over into the next school year, so we end up losing the days. The
Board recognized this and made a change last summer that increased the number of days that we
could buy back so that we no longer lose these days. Because of a procedural matter, the agenda
item that was approved last July had to be brought back again at last night's meeting. The
positioning of these two agenda items could not have been worse.

Victor, Michelle, Kathy and I have decided to take the following actions: contribute an additional
3% to our health care plan and decline the increase in the ?ve vacation buy back days so that the
District can apply these ?inds to the restoration of a position.

Victor and I will be holding a budget presentation meeting on Monday, April 16 at 3:45pm in the
auditorium at HH Wells. This is the place to come if you have questions or want to understand
what caused us to have to eliminate these positions.

Thank you.

Warm regards,

Valerie

Valerie Henning-Piedmonte, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools
Brewster Central School District
30 Form To Market Road
Brewster, New York 10509

Ph. 845-279-8000