By JIMMY LAWTON

MASSENA -- Several Massena students have launched an online petition in hopes of restoring the school’s alternative education program, known as “Delta School of Change.”

“Delta is being cut from Massena Central School District,” Hannah Donalis said in an email. “Delta is a school that helps students in a smaller class setting.”

She said students have launched a campaign beginning with its petition. The group also hopes to reach out to local media to urge the board to restore the program.

The restoration would be difficult for Massena Central School Board of Education, which recently identified nearly 30 full-time equivalency positions to cut.

In a statement posted on the district website Superintendent Roger Clough, warned taxpayers that voting down the budget could cause even more cuts.

The message follows:

Following the Board of Education's adoption of the proposed 2013-14 budget on Monday, April 22nd, I heard disgruntled people saying that they would vote against the budget on May 21st. They believe that voting the budget down would somehow restore the 29.25 positions lost in this proposal

Nothing could be further from the truth. New York's laws concerning school budgets—and what happens if voters reject a budget—are very explicit. Here are a few key facts:

Residents only vote on a spending amount. Regardless of the vote outcome, the Board of Education has full control over how that money is spent over the course of the year.

If voters reject the spending plan, the Board of Education has three options. It may:

• Put out the same proposal for a revote;

• Put out a modified budget for a revote; or

• Adopt a contingent budget.

• Note: If residents fail to approve a revote, the Board of Education must adopt a contingent budget.

Under a contingent budget, the district:

• May not collect any more taxes than it did last year. The budget proposal calls for a 2.9 percent tax levy increase or $388,127. The board would have to make $388,127 more in cuts, use more district savings or some combination of the two.

• Must cap the administrative component.

• Must eliminate certain equipment purchases and the use free use of facilities by outside groups.

So what do these rules mean to our staff, students and residents?

If the community rejects the proposed budget and any revote, the Board of Education will have no option but to adopt a contingent budget. Under a contingent budget, the Board cannot spend more than the budgeted amount. The Board cannot reinstate the lost positions. In fact, it may need to make even deeper cuts instead of using more district savings.