The Peru Gazette

March 31, 2011 from A. Paul Scott, Superintendent of Schools, Peru CSD:

What is the impact of the enacted State budget on Peru CSD, July 1st forward?

The Governor’s proposed $2.62M cut in state aid for Peru CSD was reduced by five percent through Legislative deliberations, yielding a $2.49M state aid cut for Peru CSD, July 1st forward. The $130,893 of additional state aid monies is appreciated. Given this extraordinarily tough budget year, the Legislature faced very difficult choices, in order for even a modest level of state aid restoration for public education programs and services to students. The Legislative focus on doing what legislators believed was possible at this moment in time for public education is noted and appreciated at Peru Central School District.

What are some of the consequences of reduced state aid at Peru CSD, two years in a row?

The multi-year reduction of state aid to Peru CSD has resulted in larger class sizes kindergarten through 12th grade, fewer secondary grades course sections, somewhat fewer extra-curricular activities for students, reduced administrative staffing, reduced instructional staffing and reduced operations staffing for the students and community we serve. Peru CSD employees will continue to make the best of this situation, for our school community and our students.

How are reduced state aid revenues impacting on employment at Peru CSD?

The consequences of significant state aid reductions during these two most recent budget development years have impacted on all or part of forty-eight [48] positions at Peru CSD: Twenty-two [22] teaching positions, five [5] teaching assistant positions, twenty [20] support staff positions and one administrative position have been impacted across the two budget years. Some of those reductions have been realized via attrition. In some cases, positions were eliminated, and in some cases, full-time positions were reduced to part-time positions.