Carrie Rooker has wanted to participate in the Cayuga-Onondaga Board of Cooperative Educational Services' New Visions Teacher Education program for the last two years.
“This has been her goal and what she's been working for,” her mother, Kimberly Rooker, said. “It will help her excel through college.”
Carrie, a rising Port Byron Central School District senior, has already been accepted in the program - offered by BOCES to give college-bound high school seniors a chance to not only study but also actively participate in career fields - but it is unclear if she will be able to attend in the fall.
More Port Byron students than were initially budgeted for were accepted into one of five New Visions programs for the next academic year, presenting the district with a quandary, superintendent Neil O'Brien said.
“The biggest thing for Port Byron and the school board is that we didn't want to do anything today that would harm the district in the future, and in no way did we want to take programming away from the kids in the process,” he said.
The district pays about $9,000 per student before state aid, and with the prospect of shrinking state aid packages lurking in the future, O'Brien said the district needed to make sure it wasn't being put in a compromising fiscal situation heading into next year.
But with that said, O'Brien recognized how unique the New Visions programs are and began collaborating with BOCES Superintendent Bill Speck and Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dave Boyle to devise a solution that would allow the 11 students on the fringe access.
And, according to O'Neil, a resolution was indeed found.
The district shifted money inside its budget to ensure five out of the 11 students will be able to participate while BOCES will spread out the payments in a schedule Port Byron can afford.
During the July 30 meeting, the Port Byron Board of Education will discuss options that will finance the remaining six.
“This resolution is a way for us to find a way to keep the budget in line and make payments so all parties are satisfied,” he said. “I'm excited that everyone was able to come together to find a solution so that the children can participate. It's a win-win at the end of the day.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
Carrie, a rising Port Byron Central School District senior, has already been accepted in the program - offered by BOCES to give college-bound high school seniors a chance to not only study but also actively participate in career fields - but it is unclear if she will be able to attend in the fall.
More Port Byron students than were initially budgeted for were accepted into one of five New Visions programs for the next academic year, presenting the district with a quandary, superintendent Neil O'Brien said.
“The biggest thing for Port Byron and the school board is that we didn't want to do anything today that would harm the district in the future, and in no way did we want to take programming away from the kids in the process,” he said.
The district pays about $9,000 per student before state aid, and with the prospect of shrinking state aid packages lurking in the future, O'Brien said the district needed to make sure it wasn't being put in a compromising fiscal situation heading into next year.
But with that said, O'Brien recognized how unique the New Visions programs are and began collaborating with BOCES Superintendent Bill Speck and Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Dave Boyle to devise a solution that would allow the 11 students on the fringe access.
And, according to O'Neil, a resolution was indeed found.
The district shifted money inside its budget to ensure five out of the 11 students will be able to participate while BOCES will spread out the payments in a schedule Port Byron can afford.
During the July 30 meeting, the Port Byron Board of Education will discuss options that will finance the remaining six.
“This resolution is a way for us to find a way to keep the budget in line and make payments so all parties are satisfied,” he said. “I'm excited that everyone was able to come together to find a solution so that the children can participate. It's a win-win at the end of the day.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net
Citizen
Hot Jobs
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are 1 comment(s)
erkr wrote on Jul 19, 2008 11:21 AM: