Central officials consider nixing summer school

Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District officials are weighing whether to eliminate summer school in 2010 owing to $2.2 million in potential cuts to the district’s state aid package.

The cuts, if approved by the state Legislature, would reduce Bellmore-Merrick’s total aid by nearly 12 percent.

Superintendent Dr. Henry Kiernan announced the possible elimination of summer school at Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting when asked by a parent whether a rumor that it would be nixed was true.

“The rumor you’re hearing is being confirmed right now,” Kiernan said.

Last weekend, Central officials met with local state legislators and gave the lawmakers tours of the district’s school buildings to help them assess the district’s aid needs. Central officials said that local state legislators are aware of the dramatic drop in aid proposed in the governor’s budget for Bellmore-Merrick and have pledged to work toward returning that aid to the state spending plan, at least partially.

Kiernan reminded those in attendance that the state often proposes heavy aid reductions early in the budget process. “We have faced this every year,” the superintendent said. “This is not new to Long Island.”

The percentage of Bellmore-Merrick’s budget covered by state aid has steadily declined over the past decade, from a high of 19 percent to around 13 percent currently.

Decreased state aid inevitably means reduced programming or higher property taxes. Kiernan said school officials would work to keep this year’s property-tax increase to its lowest possible level. “We’re looking into going into our reserves to keep the increase low,” he said.

Meantime, he said, teachers are preparing for the distinct possibility that there will not be summer school this year, unless aid dollars are restored. An exception would be made for graduating seniors who need coursework to complete their diplomas. The district would also retain its Regents preparation courses over the summer.