Hewlett-Woodmere proposes $116.5M budget

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The Hewlett-Woodmere Board of Education is proposing a $116.5 million budget for the 2017-18 school year that includes a .95 percent spending increase from the current $115. 4 million fiscal plan. For the second consecutive year, the district is not planning to increase the tax levy — the amount of money the district raises through local property taxes.

“We’re using other sources, other than tax levy, to find the money to cover that increase,” Louis Frontario, assistant superintendent for business in the Hewlett-Woodmere School District, said.

A proposed increase in state aid from $9.8 million to $10.3 million, the use of the appropriated fund balance and reserves, including the employees retirement and worker compensation will cover the budget increase, Frontario said, after the board meeting on March 23. The state aid money is based on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed budget as of Jan. 19 of this year. The state is required by law to have a completed budget by April 1.

The preliminary budget includes all current staffing, contractual salary increases, textbooks, professional development, transportation, and buildings maintenance, among others, according to district documents.

Proposed program initiatives for the following school year include one sixth and one-seventh grade teacher to reduce middle school class sizes and athletic facilities expansion, among others. A Math Response to Intervention program for students in kindergarten through fifth grade which provides individualized attention to those struggling with math, is also part of the proposed programs.

More proposals in next year’s budget include reinstating the Hewlett High debate club, the creation of a photography club at the high school and an after-school math enrichment programs at the Franklin Early Childhood Center and Hewlett Elementary School.

A public budget forum was scheduled for March 30, at the Woodmere Education Center at 1 Johnson Place in Woodmere at 8 p.m.