Trending
A rude awakening at Fredonia Central Schools will likely continue across Chautauqua County and Western New York. When it comes to the American Rescue Plan Act funding, the gift is also a burden.
Discussion at last week's school board meeting touched on funding for seven positions that were added at the district due to the additional government cash. How to move forward in the future with these posts, which include a social worker, English as a New Language and a special education teacher, is now up for debate.
"I really am thinking about those (American Rescue Plan Act aided) positions and what that is going to mean for us as we begin to build the budget for next year. That's just my opinion," said Fredonia school Superintendent Brad Zilliox Zilliox said. "I don't want anyone to leave here thinking that we are not committed to trying to keep the positions that we have with (American Rescue Plan Act) funding. That will present some challenges, and we might need to think about, what do we trade off in valuing those positions?"
Many government entities that suffered - just like the private sector - through the pandemic got a gift from Washington in additional funding. While it helped stabilize the tax burden for the residents the entity serves, it also led to some new hires that now may not be returning.
Again, this is not just a problem at Fredonia schools. Other districts will be facing the same questions - and troubles.