Friday, February 17, 2012

Proposed Budget Moves Closer to Cap

As we incorporate new information, the proposed school budget for 2012-13 has moved within striking distance of the legislated tax levy cap. At the February Board of Education meeting, Assistant Superintendent Dan Carlin presented the Board of Education with the revised spending plan, adjusted for workers compensation, teacher retirements, and full day kindergarten. At the February workshop, the budget exceeded the cap by about $314,000. The proposed budget now stands at $44,441,945 or $149,525 above the cap. That translates to the equivalent of 1.6 full-time teaching positions.

As a next step the finance committee will study private school transportation to determine if additional savings can be found. The Board has also asked the  administration to identify program reductions that would mean zero growth. In order to achieve a 0% budget increase the Board would need to make additional reductions of 9.2 teaching positions.  Based on the last several budget cycles, the likely reductions would entail significant increases in class size and reductions in skills support, Middle School exploratory programs, and High School electives.

The next budget workshop is on Saturday, March 3 at 9 AM in the Multi-Purpose Room.

Earlier in the meeting, Superintendent David Quattrone described regional advocacy regarding the tax cap. The Lower Hudson Council of School Superintendents and the Putnam Westchester School Boards Association are joining forces with Rob Astorino, County Executive, and state legislators to focus attention on unfunded mandates. Such mandates are presenting severe challenges to local districts as they try to comply with the 2% tax levy cap. The coalition is likely to focus on three key issues: required employer contributions to state pension systems, health insurance premiums, and the Triborough amendment that guarantees annual step increases in employee salaries.  Each of these elements in its own right can drive up expenditures beyond the 2% level. The cumulative effect of such cost drivers leads to major reductions in school programs and services.