Oceanside gets extra state money

Oceanside schools received mostly good news with the long overdue state aid school budget runs. According to the numbers, the district will receive $19.2 million next year, which is more than the almost $18 million it expected. That total includes building aid for construction projects.

“All in all, pretty happy, just there’s a little discontent,” said Board of Education President Bob Transom. That discontent comes from the conditions attached to the aid, including teacher ratings that rely more on test results. School districts will have to develop a new system and get it approved by Nov. 15.

Chris Van Cott, the assistant superintendent for business, said that the district has already set its budget for next year, but would use the excess funds to restore cuts — namely four assistant coaches for sports teams — and to add to the district’s fund balance.

In January, the office of the state comptroller listed Oceanside as “susceptible to fiscal stress” because it had fallen below the acceptable minimum for bund balance. Adding to the district’s current $3.25 million fund balance will remove Oceanside from this list.

Another part of the aid is a gap restoration. According to the state aid runs, Oceanside stands will receive $894,459. Since the 2010-2011 fiscal year, the state has taken money from school districts to close a budget deficit. Oceanside still lost $611,007 to the state for 15-16.

“It doesn’t offset what’s been taken in the gap elimination adjustment,” said Transom. “Although it’s a bone.” State Sen. Dean Skelos has said that the 2016-2017 budget would restore the rest of the gap.

Overall, Nassau County districts received $68 million, not including building aid, which is reimbursement for construction projects. Oceanside will vote on its $144.4 million school budget, which includes a $118.8 million tax levy, on May 19.