Budget Vote and Trustee Election
on Tuesday
Huntington School District voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, May 17 and cast ballots on the proposed school budget and capital reserve fund proposition and to elect two members to the board of education. Voting will be held at Huntington High School from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The proposed budget, which trustees adopted 6-1 (trustee Elizabeth Black dissented) and sent to voters for an up-and-down vote, totals $109,037,301, an increase of 0.23 percent or $250,762 over the current year's budget.
"It's a lean budget, but one that will still provide an outstanding education for the young people of this community," Superintendent John J. Finello said. "It is a sound financial plan that does not rely on unrealistic fiscal assumptions or puts the district's future at risk. We will remain financially strong."
During development of the budget, officials made $5.7 million in reductions, including the elimination of 96.4 full time equivalent positions. The district's kindergarten program will revert to half-day status.
The budget provides for the continuation of a full line-up of Regents, honors and Advanced Placement courses, comprehensive art, music and physical education programs, including marching band, orchestra, chorus, band, music ensembles and specialized art courses.
The SEARCH and Math Olympiad programs will continue for academically talented fifth and sixth graders. Monies are included for the purchase of 32 wireless laptop computers on a portable cart at each of the district's four primary grade level buildings, which will allow teachers to integrate technology directly into their lessons.
A strong program of special education classes and services will continue, as will academic intervention services for students needing assistance to meet state standards.
The proposed budget funds the high school college counseling center and extra-curricular activities at Woodhull School, J. Taylor Finley Middle School and Huntington High School, including drama club productions, student councils and student newspapers.
The budget includes $616,354 for new textbooks and workbooks, $50,014 for new library books, $90,000 for computer software and $199,208 for instructional equipment, including new computers.
In developing the budget, officials had to grapple with the loss of $1.2 million in state aid, the expiration of $1.425 million in federal stimulus program funds and the increase of $2.035 million in employee pension costs and $1.65 million in employee health insurance expenses.
Trustees allocated $1.995 million in reserves to help mitigate the estimated tax rate increase, which is pegged at 3.15 percent. If residents approve the budget, taxes on the average home assessed at $4,000 would rise $253.20 before STAR program savings are factored in. The tax rate would rise from $200.83 per $100 of assessed valuation to an estimated $207.16.
Capital Reserve Proposition
Residents are also being asked to release an amount not to exceed $684,000 from the district's Building Improvement Fund to cover the cost of replacing the original in-ground oil tanks at Flower Hill, Jefferson and Woodhull Schools. Each replacement is estimated to cost $215,000. The tank at Flower Hill is 57 years old, Jefferson's is 49 and Woodhull's is 44.
The proposition also includes $39,000 to finish a set of improvement projects that have been funded by the state's EXCEL program. The new monies are needed as a result of change orders due to unanticipated costs sustained during work on the previously approved projects.
Passage of the capital proposition will not increase taxes since the monies are already in place and can only be used for renovation, reconstruction and repair projects. The Building Improvement Fund allows the district to complete such projects without borrowing money and incurring interest expenses.
Trustee Election
Residents will also have an opportunity to elect two members to the Board of Education for three-year terms commencing on July 1, 2011 and running through June 30, 2014.
Candidates include incumbent Bill Dwyer and challengers James Cahill, Jennifer Hebert, Adam Spector and Susan Tully. Incumbent Christine Bene has decided not to run for re-election.
Eligibility to Vote
To be eligible to vote in the election, an individual must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years of age or older, a resident of Huntington School District for at least 30 days and be registered to vote in a general election or with the school district.
For more information call District Clerk Elizabeth Troffa at 673-2126.