How not to cut

The problem with the Cuomo administration's initial vagueness on the budget, and lack of vigorous mandate relief, is that spending will tend to get reduced in the wrong places. So instead of reforming and downsizing special education, or having teachers make contributions again to their future pensions, or restraining administrators' pay (which the governor has only hinted at), you get the proposed closure of two elementary schools in Schenectady County -- to the potential great damage of the small communities they anchor.

The superintendent of the Schalmont School District blames the prospect of state budget-cutting and a property tax cap for the upcoming decision to close the Mariaville and Woestina elementary schools. The Daily Gazette editorializes in favor (no link; paywall), reversing its stand of a decade ago. Back then, the district's main focus was on closing Woestina in Rotterdam Junction. When the school board decided not to do that, it instead tore down the existing school in the middle of the hamlet and built a brand new one -- which the superintendent now proposes to leave empty. This isn't even cost-effective decision making.