Cuts in education funding

The Buffalo News: The $1.5 billion in proposed cuts in school aid across New York make the governor’s recent comments on superintendent and administration costs resonate even louder.

Here’s what Andrew M. Cuomo said regarding the 40 percent of school superintendents across the state who receive more than$200,000 in salaries and benefits: “Why they get paid more than the governor of the state of New York, I really don’t understand.”

In all honesty, we can see one reason: competition for the job. The law of supply and demand. Still, we get the governor’s point.

New York State is facing up to a$10 billion budget gap and Cuomo is keeping his promise about making difficult decisions. So far, that means a 4.6 percent reduction in aid to Buffalo and more than 17 percent in Depew, Lewiston-Porter and Niagara Wheatfield.

The fiscal challenges inevitably raise the question as to whether some cost savings can be found in hefty administrative salaries. Not only do many superintendents earn well over$200,000 per year, but many perks go along with the job, including the ability to get credit for unused sick time.

Surely, these superintendents — hard-working and well-meaning — could find a way to shave a little off the top for the greater good. Sure, that’s being idealistic. But the governor did, and he has outlined the realities of less state aid, and a property tax cap seems sure to follow.