School Budget Decision Day Looms
It's a budget that is fiscally and educationally sound. That's the message from Huntington School District officials to residents who will go to the polls on Tuesday, May 21 to cast ballots on the proposed school budget for 2013/14 and two capital reserve fund propositions and to elect two members to the Huntington School Board.
The $114,707,235 plan represents an increase in spending of $2.848 million over the current year's budget or 2.55 percent. The projected tax levy increase totals 2.83 percent while the tax rate would rise by 3.52 percent or about $273.75 (before STAR program savings are calculated) for the average home assessment.
If the budget passes, the estimated tax rate would go from $212.99. per $100 of assessed valuation to $220.49. The district has suffered from a net reduction of more than $6 million in its state aid over the past three years, which has led to property tax increases.
"The budget process begins shortly after the budget vote in May of the prior year," said Emily Rogan, president of the Huntington School Board. "Since last summer, Superintendent James W. Polansky and his staff have been poring over the numbers, looking for ways to maximize funds available for academic programs while being mindful of the economic challenges that our community faces. The result, we believe, is a budget that is both fiscally and educationally sound."
District officials said they are committed to economizing wherever possible. The district paid off a 1993 board last July, leading to a $931,000 reduction in debt service for the coming year, which helped to significantly offset increases in non-discretionary and mandated benefit costs, including retirement system assessments imposed by the state.
The district expects to receive $352,201 in additional state aid in 2013/14, bring the total amount to $11,972,315. Miscellaneous revenues are expected to bring in about $1.744 million, a drop of nearly $281,000. About $2.18 million will be appropriated from the district's fund balance to hold down taxes.
"This budget will continue to support a wide range of core courses and electives at the secondary level, with a full complement of extra-curricular activities to meet the needs of our wonderfully diverse student body," Mrs. Rogan said. "We will continue to maintain academically responsible class sizes at all grade levels, a challenge for many districts today. At the primary level, we will continue to offer both SEARCH and Math Olympiads.
The proposed budget allocates $373,161 for new textbooks, $153,078 for workbooks, $37,168 for library books, $90,000 for computer software and $523,521 for instructional equipment, including computers. It funds 63 athletic teams for high school and middle school students, 93 coaching positions and a full-time athletic trainer. It provides for a variety of wholesome, adult supervised after-school extracurricular activities, including dozens of clubs for students.
"This budget supports the provision of cutting edge technology to enhance classroom instruction, preparing our students for the world they'll face beyond our walls," Mrs. Rogan said. "Students will continue to be challenged by integrated, interactive technology through the use of SMART Boards, iPads and other innovative tools."
The proposed budget allocates about $9.3 million to bus students to and from school. This year's transportation budget reflects the costs associated with transporting 5,308 eligible students to the seven buildings in the Huntington School District and to 30 parochial and private schools and 21 special needs schools on Long Island as required by law. The district currently contracts for 56 large buses and 79 vans to transport students.
A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Monday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jack Abrams School auditorium.
Residents will go to the polls on Tuesday, May 21 at Huntington High School between 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. For more information call the district clerk's office at 673-2126.