Budgeting under the tax cap

The Hewlett-Woodmere and Lawrence school districts are both presenting proposed operating budgets that adhere to this year’s low state tax-cap that seeks to keep school property taxes down.

Enacted in 2011, the state’s mandated tax-levy cap began at 2 percent, and based on inflation is now at .12 percent.

Voting on the budget, Board of Education candidates and propositions takes place on Tuesday, May 17, at the districts’ respective polling places, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Hewlett-Woodmere

“If approved by the voters, the 2016-17 school budget will allow the district to continue to provide a comprehensive and quality education to our students, maintain the programs and services valued by our community,” said Superintendent Dr. Ralph Marino Jr.

The budget allows for the hiring of 10 employees, including at least five general education teachers and two special education instructors and the restoration of an assistant principal position at the Franklin Early Childhood Center. The budget provides for increased instructional support for science as well as the Twilight Program for high school students who need academic support.

Residents are also being asked to cast ballots on Proposition II, to allow the district to spend $10.8 million for heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades at the Early Childhood Center and Hewlett Elementary School. In addition, $2 million from the capital fund will be used to make repairs at several schools.

The budget includes a 5.7 percent boost in state aid to $7.76 million. Additional money could be coming through reimbursement of what is called the GAP Elimination Adjustment. This is money that was cut during the fiscal crises of 2010 and 2011, and never repaid to the school districts. Hewlett-Woodmere’s GAP adjustment is $632,170.

“Each year, the board takes a fresh look at the district’s revenues, expenses, and reserves,” said Board President Scott McInnes. “Our goal is to continue to move the district from great to greater, while remaining cognizant of the impact on our taxpayers. We were happy to put together a proposal that not only improves and strengthens our programs and facilities, but does so with a zero percent increase in the tax levy.” 

Lawrence
District officials said that they didn’t research the history, but they believe the adopted $99.1 million budget includes a record-low .59 percent increase of $580,000 above the present $98.5 million spending plan.
Lawrence state aid increase $1.7 million, total $11.4 million. The district anticipates saving $1.6 million due to retirements and staff reductions. Positions not needed based on enrollment numbers, officials said.

“Our proposed budget will maintain the wide range of robust programs offered to all of our students, and includes capital improvements to enhance our infrastructure, all achieved while staying under the tax cap so that out taxpayers will receive the maximum rebate offered the state,” said Superintendent Gary Schall. The state offers rebates to taxpayers as an incentive for school districts to stay under the tax cap.

The proposed budget includes money targeted to enhance academic achievement, expand programs related to science, technology, engineering and math learning, maintaining existing extracurricular activities and electives, improve facilities, increase security and expand what officials called “in-district opportunities for our most fragile learners.”

That is the Close-to-Home Program that Schall announced in March. It tentatively has at least 10 high school-aged students being housed in either the Number Two School or Number Four School for half of their school day before they head to their off-campus vocational training.

The plan has not been well received by PTA leaders and district parents, as it places students with behavioral issues who are much older and physically larger in the same building as the district’s youngest students. Officials said that no plan will be approved without stakeholder buy-in.

“We have a totally transparent system, we have meetings and an open door for every stakeholder,” Board of Education President Murray Forman said.
There are also two propositions asking voters to authorize the transfer of $1.8 million and $3.3 million to the capital reserve fund. The more than $5 million is the cost of renovations to the high school and middle school that were done last year.

Have an opinion about school district budgets? Send your letter to the editor to jbessen@liherald.com.