Herricks May Create Reserve for Potential Teachers

The Herricks School District will be able to add an extra $281,000 into their 2012-13 budget through additional state aid and the early retirement of five employees, money which it may use for additional teachers or aides in the coming school year.

During last Thursday’s meeting of the Herricks Board of Education at the Herricks Community Center, trustee Sanjay Jain said that since next budget year will likely be more difficult, he would like to have a “cushion” heading into that time frame.

Board President Christine Turner added that setting money aside for classes that might be larger than this year or the need for an additional teacher or teaching assistant “would be a smart move on the board's part.” She estimated that five teaching assistants would cost the district about $200,000 a year.

Two parents noted that their children, who are fourth graders at Center Street, are having a difficult time in class and are not as enthusiastic about attending school. The students’ class is reportedly over the cap for number of students in the room.

“Average and above average kids are being punished,” one mother said. “This is not the Herricks way.” 

Dr. Jain and board member James Gounaris suggested that money could be placed into a budget line that would be used to hire additional teachers or teaching assistants.

Board members said they did not want to commit to how many teachers and/or teaching assistants they would hire since the situation needs to be looked at as enrollments come into the district.

One of the teachers who is taking an early retirement is Sally Glasser, who attended the Thursday night meeting. She has worked at Herricks Middle School for 22 years and has been a teacher for more than 40 years. Gounaris thanked Glasser for her service in the district.