Draft Budget Makes Dramatic Reductions to School Spending
Copies of the Huntington School District’s draft budget for 2008-09 were circulated at Monday night’s School Board meeting signaling the beginning of the annual public process during which trustees will review expenditures line-by-line across the board.
Earlier this winter, trustees directed central office administrators to draft a budget that limits the potential property tax increase to five percent or below. The draft budget estimates the tax increase at 4.97 percent.
A reduction of nearly $1.5 million in carry-forward items, including reductions in staffing, transportation, equipment, supplies and various programs, were needed to limit the tax increase. If the district receives additional state aid beyond the level included in Governor Eliot Spitzer’s proposed budget or if assessed property values rise, the potential tax increase could be further reduced.
The draft budget pegs proposed expenditures at $103,617,414. The amount represents a $4,468,059 increase over the current year’s budget for a spending increase of 4.45 percent. Complicating the picture is Governor Spitzer’s proposed reduction of $800,000 in Huntington’s state aid.
“These are very difficult financial times and require difficult choices,” Superintendent John J. Finello said. “The draft budget incorporates real cuts, but preserves programs and services that have helped make the district a special place for students and the community.”
Earlier this winter, district officials released financial projections indicating that continuing next year a school program identical to the current one, would require an estimated tax rate increase of 6.83 percent, far above the threshold trustees later established. Thus, administrators were required to make dramatic reductions to the carry-forward budget in the draft document presented to trustees.
Officials also compiled a “wish list” of spending items submitted by principals and department directors. When these items were added to the carry-forward budget, the increase to next year’s property tax rate was calculated at more than 9.2 percent. None of that proposed spending was included in the draft document submitted to trustees.
Trustees will hold additional public budget meetings on Monday, March 10, 31 and April 7 and adopt a proposed budget on Monday, April 14. A public hearing on the plan is scheduled for Monday, May 12. Residents will vote on the budget on Tuesday, May 20.
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