51.0°,
Overcast Hewlett-Woodmere offers retirement incentive
District seeks to reduce its fiscal burden
Due to the financial constraints of the current economic climate and the state’s 2 percent tax levy cap, the Hewlett-Woodmere School District is seeking to lessen its fiscal burden by offering its veteran administrators and principals an incentive to retire.
Kathleen Anderson, assistant superintendent for Human Resources and Student Services, said the incentive was offered to members of Hewlett-Woodmere Administrators and Supervisors unit, which includes principals, assistant principals, some directors, chairpersons, guidance counselors, psychologists and social workers. “As of the Board’s approval on Jan. 18, eight employees from this unit will retire over the course of the next two years,” she said. “Among those retiring are four building principals. One on June 30, 2012 and three on June 30, 2013.”
Superintendent Dr. Joyce Bisso said offering the incentive at this time allows for long-range planning. “These are challenging times for school districts where expectations surrounding measuring student progress and evaluation of staff are changing at the same time that the new tax levy cap will limit resources,” she said. “A number of staff members are at or nearing retirement eligibility.”
Regarding staff cuts for the upcoming budget season, personnel requirements would be determined as the administration and the Board of Education proceed in the budget process.
The Board of Education held a Budget Development meeting on Jan. 11 to explain the tax cap as well as review individual budget functions such as human resources and facilities, operations and safety.
Assistant Superintendent for Business Dr. Peter Weber said all districts must calculate their tax cap before March 1. “Our initial estimate is that it will be under $2 million,” he said.
Though the tax cap refers to a 2 percent tax cap limit, it doesn’t restrict any proposed tax levy increase to 2 percent, but establishes a tax levy limit, which is determined by the district according to a formula prescribed by law.
