Board presses to retain building substitutes as state aid remains uncertain

David Rich briefed the East Aurora Union Free School District Board of Education on April 16 about the district’s 2024–25 budget outlook and a series of contingency steps to protect staffing if state aid is delayed.

Rich told the board that progress on the state budget remained uncertain and that the district currently has a $46,000 shortfall in its preliminary projections. "It's 46… $46,000," he said when asked for the exact figure. He recommended temporarily plugging that amount into the appropriate fund balance as a placeholder so the district can prepare required budget paperwork while awaiting final state action.

Board members repeatedly emphasized the importance of retaining the district’s building substitutes. One member urged a commitment to "making every effort to retain those 3 building subs," saying layoffs would be unnecessary if the budget can be adjusted. Chair and other members agreed on the positions’ value, noting substitutes become familiar with building programs and provide continuity when classroom teachers are absent.

Several board members flagged a larger potential exposure tied to pre‑K and other aid that they estimated at about $180,000 (one speaker referenced $182,000). Members said that if that amount does not materialize from state aid, it could prompt tougher personnel decisions. "If that doesn't materialize, then I reserve the right to go back to this conversation," one member said.

Given the uncertainty, the board discussed reconvening early next week if state action requires an interim decision before the board’s next regular meeting. The chair asked whether members were willing to meet on short notice in a worst-case scenario; members agreed they would be available.

No formal vote on staffing or budget reallocations was recorded during these segments; the discussion produced direction to prepare contingency documents and to notify the board if state developments require an additional meeting.