District Reaches out to Residents
on Budget
It's a familiar refrain by now, but 2013 is shaping up to be another tough year for New York State school districts as they work to meet rising mandated costs while adhering to the state's property tax cap.
The Huntington School District recently sent residents a postcard inviting them to participate in a series of budget development sessions beginning February 11 and continuing through the winter and into the spring.
"As you know, we are in the midst of fiscally challenging times," Superintendent James W. Polansky wrote to residents. "As we enter the second year of tax levy cap legislation, we must continue to carefully analyze and prioritize expenditures and revenue sources in an effort to maximize financial efficiencies."
Under the state's tax cap legislation school districts may not adopt a budget that requires a tax levy exceeding the previous year's levy by more than two percent plus exclusions or one percent plus the rate of inflation plus exclusions, whichever is less.
"As we navigate through the 2013/14 budget development process, we encourage you to share your ideas and assist the administration and the Huntington Board of Education in developing a responsible budget that considers the needs of our students and the taxpayer burden," Mr. Polansky told residents.
The budget related meetings will be held according to the following schedule:
• Monday, February 11: Tax levy cap presentation with updated estimates.
• Monday, March 4: Budget overview and a review of the areas covering the Board of Education, central administration and transportation.
• Monday, March 11: Budget workshop session on the areas covering employee benefits, debt service, inter-fund transfers and capital.
• Monday March 18: Review of the areas covering instruction and staffing.
• Monday, April 1: Review of estimated revenues and an overall budget review.
• Monday, April 15: Adoption by trustees of the 2013/14 budget.
• Monday, May 6: Budget hearing.
• Tuesday, May 21: Budget vote and Board of Education election.
"These sessions are designed to enable residents to better understand and participate in the process," Mr. Polansky told residents.
Each of the presentations will occur during regularly scheduled Huntington School Board meetings in the Jack Abrams School auditorium.