East Rockaway Schools decide on new budget

The East Rockaway Board of Education unanimously approved a $34.3 million proposed budget at their April 12 meeting. The plan, which calls for a 2.94 percent increase and 3.77 percent tax levy, which must still be approved by voters on May 17, includes keeping all current clubs, sports teams, the district’s enterprise program, and new programs for students with autism and disabilities, among other items. “At a certain point, it’s really up to the community what they want for their schools,” said Schools Superintendent Dr. Roseanne Melucci.

Estimated spending cutbacks include business office administration contractual expenses from $25,585 to $18,750 – this line is down because the district no longer needs to hire an outside firm for this. About $ 54,000 was cut for public transportation because the district does not have to pay for Metropolitan Transportation Authority passes to transport any private school students out of the district. Cutting another $11,387, officials proposed using reserves to fund their instructional computer technology needs. Using those reserves can help lower the tax levy, said Marcy Tannenbaum, district director of operations and finance.

However, most budgetary items will remain the same: funds for supplies, textbooks and other materials, board of education, students with disabilities, special schools, social services, and district transportation services fees, among other items.

Central administration contractual costs are up to $20,720 — about $3,000 more than this year. Other increases include $5,450 for a fiscal agent contract (the district also refinanced a $164,000 bond for these fees and saved some money as well.) Legal representation expenses and Nassau BOCES administrative charges also went up, totaling a little more than $29,000.

The largest increases are for employee benefits, about $300,000 for the Employees’ Retirement System, alone. “Those are costs the district does not have control over,” Tannenbaum said of the impending benefits increases.

The district projects almost $8 million for next year revenue, including $165,000 for “other day” school tuition. Officials expect a notable drop in interest earnings – a little more than a $100,000. Is state aid coming?

New York state aid comes in at $5.8 million – a little more than the $5.7 million that was initially projecteded under Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s first budget proposal in February. “We were very appreciative,” Melucci said. “We called all of our legislators and thanked them … in East Rockaway we take whatever state aid we get and apply it.” Melucci added that the district used to be able to get more money because of high tax aid, which has been frozen since the 2008-09 year.

Reserve spending
 

Some reserves spending is planned for several capital projects, including an estimated $177,471 from a $288 thousand technology fund. The district wants to use about $67,000 to complete the SmartBoard classrooms, which began this year. Nearly, another $87,000 is slated for replacing Internet routers and providing wireless connectivity at the high school, and $24,000 for replacing software. The board decided to move some funds left over from last year to their reserves, Melucci said. The $232,400 facilities reserve is projected to decrease by $192,800 – Rhame Avenue Elementary School door completion for $60,000, Centre Avenue Elementary blacktop improvements for $62,000, and $70,800 in boiler repairs at the high school. Another $60,000 of the general fund will goes toward high school gym and technology door repairs, according to Anthony Quercia, the district facilities and operations director.

Budget advisory committee members, who have met for five meetings, weighed in. “If we can bring [the tax levy] down to two, we can enhance the passage [of the budget],” said Al Lazzaro. “That will be to our benefit.” He also hoped that the budget does not go up for a revote, which occurred last year. “We don’t want to see that happen again,” he added.

Officials also said that if a contingent budget occurred, $419,958 would have to be reduced. The amount would include the elimination of new equipment and capital projects funded through the general fund, in addition to other items.

A budget hearing is scheduled for May 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the high school.

Sign up at liherald.com to join in the discussion about this story!