HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WENY) -- After the threat of job cuts and a looming budget deficit, the Horseheads Central School District held a budget workshop Wednesday night to try and tackle community concerns.  

The 2024-2025 budget originally had a $15 million gap, which was whittled down to $3 million, and as of Wednesday night, a $1 million gap.  Originally, 49 people were told that their positions were in jeopardy, and according to Superintendent Thomas Douglas, that number has been reduced to four.

"We will be able to come down from with this challenge from roughly 49 positions, and it's actually more with attrition and vacancies, down to roughly potentially four.  You heard tonight, the board saying we might get it down from four or two positions, and the bulk of any individual administrative positions will be reduced of up to about five positions that we talked about earlier," said Dr. Thomas Douglas, the superintendent of the Horseheads Central School District.

Dr. Douglas says two of those positions are administrators, and the other two positions are licensed practical nurses.  Other adjustments include charging for athletic events, cutting memberships that board members use, and not filling positions that are currently vacant in September, among others.

"We made cuts on the administrator side, to show the sacrifices we are making to try and preserve the instructional jobs.  We've protected the busing, which we know the public wanted.  We protected the SROs, which we know the public wanted.  We're going to move forward with the sale of Hibbard Road, because we know the public wanted it, we're going to use our reserves as much as financially prudent, which we know the public wanted," said Board Member Daniel Christmas.

The board weighed various tax cap challenge options at one million dollars.  There were four options to be considered, and the board will chose one to move forward with on Thursday night.  Board members and the superintendent agree this new budget proposal is a result of listening to the community.

"I think our board has been courageous tonight by saying our community cares about this. We've heard them, and we want to do the best for our students, our community, our property values and also try to keep the tax rate as low as possible," said Dr. Douglas.

The final budget plan will be presented on Thursday, April 18th, where the board will vote to put it before the public.  The public vote on this budget will take place on May 21st.  

The home page for the Horseheads Central School District 2024-2025 budget can be found here.