CHENANGO COUNTY – Governor David Paterson’s latest deficit reduction proposal could mean rocky times for local school districts, which collectively face more than $2.3 million in mid-year cuts if the state leader’s plan is approved.

Once again “education is on his hit list,” said Unadilla Valley Superintendent Robert Mackey, who learned late yesterday that his district could lose $277,565 in state aid in the current year under Paterson’s plan.

On Thursday, the governor revealed his latest proposal for narrowing New York State’s budget deficit. According to the governor, the two-year plan would reduce budget shortfalls by $5 billion by cutting spending and instituting reform, but not raising taxes. It won’t be without a steep price to schools and other agencies which depend on the state.

“During a time of uncommon difficulty, we need to work together for the common good and enact a consensus plan that helps us avoid the severe consequences faced by other states that failed to swiftly address their budget problems,” Paterson said. “This will mean hard and painful choices, but that is exactly the type of leadership New Yorkers deserve from their public officials.”

Tell that to the Norwich City School District, which stands to lose $525,522 in aid during the current year if the governor’s plan is approved. Although Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan said the district has been preparing for such an eventuality, it won’t make actually making the cuts any easier.