Is it possible to combine property tax relief and maintain exemplary educational programs? Yes, but how do you get there?
The Bronxville Board of Education made progress toward answering these questions at its March 6th budget workshop. About seventy-five people, mostly district parents, showed up. Some came to advocate for special education, small class sizes, or cherished class trips; others pushed for tougher collective bargaining agreements. Many came simply to find out more.
While there were differences of opinion on the best way of “getting to zero” (or whether zero was the right number), Board members and the public universally affirmed the importance of maintaining program and services that produce outstanding graduates and attract new families to Bronxville.
The Board expressed strong support for the traditional field trip experiences that have played an important part in the lives of students, such as the farm trip at grade 2, Philadelphia in grade 5, and Williamsburg at grade 7. Those potential reductions are now off the table. On the other hand, Board members favored eliminating certain elective field trips at the high school level because those trips involve smaller groups of students with specific interests, incur additional liability, and could be offered outside the school context.
The Board also rejected proposals to eliminate additional lab periods for science at grades 9 and 10 and deferred discussion of consolidating schools or limiting elective opportunities at the high school. Instead, the Board targeted several non-instructional areas for savings: custodial outsourcing, levels of clerical support, and equipment and supply accounts. The Board indicated it planned to proceed with $80,000 of capital projects for a storage shed and tile replacement rather than deferring those items to a time when they might cost more.
As a result of a special retirement incentive program, the Board has the choice whether or not to replace several positions. This would generate savings by virtue of attrition rather than through more painful reductions in force. In these areas, some members of the public asked about the possible adverse impact on learning. Before making final decisions the Board seeks additional information about cuts in the skills program, Foreign Language in the Elementary School, and projected cost savings in athletics and co-curricular activities. Those proposals call for fewer coaches and advisers but do not eliminate any sport or club.
At the end of the day, the Board listened to community concerns and took one step closer to defining how this year’s school budget can not only achieve a zero percent increase on the tax rate, but also honor those programs and services that have distinguished the Bronxville Schools in the past, add the greatest value in the present, and protect our capacity to thrive in the future.
