Tupper Lake, NY, Apr 27, 2010 — Budget talks in Albany are going "nowhere" according to a top Democrat in the state Assembly. The spending plan was due April 1st. The delay in finalizing a state budget leaves local school districts with little information at a time when they have to make some big decisions. Lay offs and program cuts appear certain. But how many? Districts must have an answer--in the form of an approved budget--in less than a month.

Seth McGowan is school superintendent in Tupper Lake. He says it's frustrating that residents of his district must vote on a school budget May 18th--whether the state finalizes its spending plan or not. He says this puts Tupper Lake at "a terrible disadvantage."

The district is poised to cut 25 percent of its workforce, including 20 to 25 teachers. Talking with Jonathan Brown, McGowan says the district prepared for this "worst-case" budget scenario.