S-G school officials look for $1M in cuts   By MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SCOTIA - Scotia-Glenville school officials will try to shave $1 million off a proposed $36.2 million budget for 2003-04 in an effort to reduce a projected 20 percent tax rate increase. The revised $35.2 million budget would carry a projected tax increase of between 8 percent and 14 percent, depending on whether $1 million in state aid is restored to the district, said Robert Hanlon, district spokesman. Board member Margaret Smith said the $1 million figure reflects a "comfort level" that represents a good starting point for further deliberations on the budget. "The $1 million figure puts us into the 8 percent to 14 percent tax range. Hopefully, the revenue picture will get better," driving the rate down further, Smith said. To help with later discussions, administrators will determine what they can live without. Then the board will decide what they can live without, Hanlon said. Even with this revision, several board members said they do not believe the budget would pass a vote, Hanlon said. "The board is working on developing what would be an acceptable tax rate," he said. Hanlon said he does not believe administrators can find $1 million in non-contingency items in the proposed budget. "If you cut $1 million from the budget, will you get into the heart and soul of district programs and services? I don't know, but we'll find out," Hanlon said. The revised budget will be presented next Monday night at the second of three community forums. The Board of Education must adopt a budget by April 14, and district residents will vote on it May 20. Approximately 120 people attended the district's first community forum on the budget Monday night. Hanlon said the majority were employees of the district and students, and that they were there to ask the board not to cut specific programs. Smith said the board "heard a lot about sports, after-school programs and honors courses. It was good to hear from the community. We hope to get more guidance from them." On another front, district staff members are beginning to provide suggestions on how to cut expenses, Hanlon said. Superintendent Michael Marcelle last week asked union leaders and members for help.