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A Few Clouds Sup’ts present 2012-13 budget proposals
Elementary, high school plans discussed at Elmont civic meeting
Sewanhaka Central High School Superintendent Dr. Ralph Ferrie and Elmont Union Free School District Superintendent Al Harper presented school district’s 2012-13 budget proposals at an Elmont East End Civic Association on April 3, held at the Elmont Memorial Library.
The event marked Ferrie’s first presentation to the East End Civic’s members, as the as he began working in the Sewanhaka district in the fall. Harper has been with the Elmont district for nearly seven years. “This is the hardest year ever,” Harper said at the meeting. “We have worked diligently to come up with a fiscally sound budget, while maintaining the educational quality the community is used to. When we sat down in October, we knew we would have a difficult time.”
According to Harper, the Elmont district’s proposal for 2012-13 will include a 6.9 percent tax levy increase, exceeding the district’s allowable tax levy cap of 1.89 percent, as mandated by the state's 2 percent cap. A supermajority, or 60 percent, of voters would have to support the proposal on May 15 in order for it to be approved.
Harper’s tax-levy announcement was long-awaited; throughout February and March discussions on the upcoming budget, Elmont Board of Education said they were planning to wait until April to publicly release budget specifics.
According to Harper, the budget’s projected increase is largely due to Teacher Retirement System and health-insurance contributions, which are mandated by the state. Additionally, he said, special education costs have risen significantly, and state aid to the district is projected to decrease by nearly $5,600. Only .5 percent of the budget increase relates to program and service costs, he added.
Harper said that the district is planning to maintain its unique programs, including Saturday Academy, Jazz Masters and Model United Nations.
