Lawrence School District has come a long way from 2003

In 2003, voters in the Lawrence School District overwhelmingly rejected a proposed $85.3 million budget with a 4.9 percent tax increase. In the subsequent 14 years, especially the past decade, Lawrence taxpayers have strongly supported the fiscal plans put together by district officials.

The current operating budget is $99.56 million and due to the state mandated tax cap the increase was 0.12. The proposed fiscal plan for next school year is $100.78 million with a 1.26 tax increase (see chart).

Outgoing Superintendent Gary Schall noted that in the most recent audit the New York State Comptroller’s Office did not make one recommendation for improvement and gave the district a commendation for financial management.

“By making difficult decisions over the last 10 years, we are now in a strong financial position to maintain and even improve programs and services as needed and upgrade our buildings, all the while keeping the tax levy within the limit required for the taxpayers to receive a rebate,” said Schall, adding that Lawrence, “set the trend for capping taxes years before it became a NYS requirement.” Schall is retiring on June 30.

Board of Education President Murray Forman remembers 2003 vividly. Back then he was president of the Association for Learning and Education With Responsible Taxation, a grassroots organization that was frustrated with a district and group of trustees who were not getting academic results and wiped out an $18 million surplus in four years by 2001.

The budget crisis that ensued resulted in the loss of 70 employees — including 50 teachers — reduced library hours and instructional programs, and the elimination of remedial reading and foreign language programs.

“I think it’s unequivocal that at this point the entire district supports our budgets because of the fiscal discipline instilled in the system that we can maintain and increase programming, and provide ongoing capital projects while being below the mandated 2 percent cap,” Forman said.

He noted that while that time was unpleasant, out of it sprung the Lawrence that exists today. “I would say that organization was essentially a manifestation of the overwhelmingly majority of voters in the district. The sentiment is the same and it’s the same objective. We’re no different than any official that enjoys the public trust and if we shift back to pre-2003, we’ll be looking for other jobs.”

The preliminary budget includes projected savings from the difference in salary from six veteran employees — including five teachers and one psychologist — and five other staff retirements. The tentative fiscal plan also has an expansion of the high school’s research program.

On the debit side, the district is slated to lose a combined $465,000 in state aide and PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) revenue, while having to pay a payroll increase of $650,000 and a $670,000 jump in medical benefits.

Lawrence Teachers Association President Lori Skonberg said, as of press time only three teachers have announced that they will retire. The required documents do not have to be filed until April 30.

Hiring, Skonberg believes is more than looking to save money, it should always be about seeking the person with the best qualifications, she said. “Lawrence should always be looking and wanting to hire the best for a position,” Skonberg said. “It’s not a matter of being a first-year teacher or a fifth-year teacher, it’s about where a new hire agrees to begin on the salary scales.”

A budget hearing will be held on Monday, April 3 at Lawrence Middle School at 195 Broadway in Lawrence at 8 p.m.