School Budget Process Inches Along
The budget development process in the Huntington School District inched along last Monday night as trustees reviewed various spending lines, positions and programs. Several changes over the past two weeks have resulted in the projected tax rate increase being lowered to 3.18 percent.
Trustees are examining a draft budget that contains a 2.44 percent increase in spending over the current year. The district is projecting a loss of $315,427 in state aid if Governor David Paterson’s proposed budget cuts stand as is. “We are still searching for savings,” Superintendent John J. Finello said.
Several adjustments have been made since the release of the draft budget. Last Monday night officials announced that one librarian’s position will be eliminated through attrition and the vacant math department director’s post will be combined with that of the existing science and instructional technology director. Two humanities department coordinator positions are also being cut. These actions combined will save taxpayers several hundred thousand dollars.
Trustees also asked administrators to take a look at a handful of other situations that carry budget implications. Spending in the 2010/11 plan is pegged at $107,564,742 or $2,560,483 higher than the current fiscal year. The district is projecting assessed property values will stay flat at $46,128,234, according to Assistant Superintendent David H. Grackin.
Trustees listened to a presentation by Assistant Superintendent Joseph Giani on staffing needs for next year. There is an overall projected decrease of 28.6 positions. The draft budget does contain three contingent positions that will only be filled if enrollment increases and class sizes would otherwise exceed established guidelines.
District officials are hoping the state budget will be enacted in the next two weeks so state aid figures can be finalized. The state is required by law to adopt its budget by April 1 but has rarely met the statutory deadline in the past two decades.
Trustees will continue their budget deliberations during a public meeting on Monday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jack Abrams School auditorium.
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