Superintendent: Budget Passage 'Gratifying,' Staff Cuts 'Disheartening'

Following the passage of the 2013-14 school budget on Tuesday night, Three Village school superintendent Cheryl Pedisich said she was overwhelmed by and grateful for the community's support.

However, she expressed some mixed feelings about the outcome, including optimism that things would change for the better in the future.

"I believe that this is most definitely gratifying and validating that the community supports education," she said. "While it is very disheartening that we’re losing so many staff members, I’ve seen this happen before in the district and I believe that we will rebuild and that someday soon we will get these staff members back."

The passage of the $184.53 budget means approximately 67 people, including about 58 teachers, will be laid off.

Pedisich, who will start her 30th year working in the district on July 1, said she felt confident going into the budget vote on Tuesday, having made presentations to various community groups. She said she felt there was "quiet support" among residents.

"They had a lot of questions, mostly of an academic nature, the impact that it would have on students, class sizes, electives," Pedisich said. "They asked a lot of questions and they were concerned that there would be some changes. But I got the sense that they realized we were doing the very best we could within the tax cap."

She called Three Village "a district of survivors."

"This is family. We will pull together," she said. "I believe that our staff members who are excessed at this time will someday be part of this family again."