Governor Calls for Midyear Cuts to Schools

New York Governor David Paterson has proposed midyear cuts to school aid in an attempt to deal with the state's deficit. The Press Republican reports that area school officials say such a move could be devastating to their districts and students. Last week Paterson proposed a midyear cut to school aid, along with cuts to hospitals, nursing homes and aid to college students as part of an effort to trim the state's deficit by $5 billion over two years. Saranac Central School Superintendent Ken Cringle said he's already considering turning to reserves and unappropriated fund balance to reduce the overall impact of the possible reductions in school aid. Cringle is calling for an immediate moratorium on spending which he says will impcat student services.