Hewlett-Woodmere proposes a $113.3M budget

Seven new programs and 10 new teaching positions for special education are part of the proposed $113.3 million Hewlett-Woodmere School District budget for the 2015-16 school year, an increase of 1.24 percent, or $1.39 million, over the current spending plan.
With state aid still undetermined as the legislative budget process plays out, the tax levy — the amount of money the district raises through local property taxes — could remain at the current $99 million, or could increase by 1.8 percent, to $101.1 million, if there is no uptick in state aid, said Dr. Peter Weber, Hewlett-Woodmere’s assistant superintendent for business.
“That question will only be answered as the budget process proceeds,” Weber said. “The more a district relies on state aid, the bigger the problem.” Hewlett-Woodmere received about $7.7 million in state aid for the current school year.
The seven new initiatives include Regents math lab changes at the high school to create three lab sessions per six-day cycle; an outdoor environmental center at the middle school; integration of a co-teaching model for special-needs students at the elementary schools; a music therapy program for special-education children; a summer program for English immersion; the addition of an assistant wrestling coach; and the creation of a cheerleading team at the middle school.
Instruction for general and special education continues to be the largest portion of the budget — $62.9 million, which includes teacher salaries and educational materials such as textbooks. This year, $61.3 million, or 54.7 percent of the budget, is being spent on instruction for general and special education.
At the middle school level, the district is implementing a pilot math program for sixth- and seventh-graders, said Anthony Murray, the district’s math chairman. “We want a textbook that benefits us in instruction and learning across the board,” he said. “We are considering what’s in and out in math learning, making sure the books meet Common Core standards. We meet every other week to make a decision. We’re almost there in deciding on which is the best text to use. Once we make our final decision, we’ll go in front of the school board with our choice, for their review.”
Another significant budgetary category is special education. There could be major changes in staffing for in-district programs, as well as a reduction in expenses such as consulting services, according to Weber. Still, the program’s cost could rise by $511,294.
“There has been a substantial growth in terms of our needs,” he said. “Too much time was taken away from instruction and language teachers to send those children out to private schools for evaluation. This was affecting the amount of service. We filled in with staffing and consultants this year, as those programs should be properly done by members of our staff.”
The district is spending $14.2 million on special education this year, and that is projected to rise to $14.7 million in 2015-16.
Superintendent Joyce Bisso said that the budget measures Hewlett-Woodmere has taken put the school district on better financial footing than some other districts. “The times we’re in, the uncertainties might make us crazy,” she said. “We’re very lucky compared to other districts, especially those who have to add a lot of teachers. We should consider what that means in reference to salaries and benefits. Those school districts will have to cut somewhere.”

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