Oceanside school district unveils proposed budget

The Oceanside school district unveiled its full, proposed budget for the 2018-19 school year at the last of its three budget workshops on March 22.

The Oceanside school board announced that it had closed the roughly $1.5 million budget gap it had at the beginning of the talks. Additionally, the proposed budget includes the hiring of security monitors to patrol the exterior of the elementary school buildings during school hours, and the implementation of a real-time camera surveillance and alert system to support after-hours programs. The included costs are $15,000 per monitor and $10,000 for the system. Additionally, an increase of $1.34 million was earmarked for staff member benefits.

At the second budget workshop on Feb. 28, the board covered salaries and benefits of teachers, transportation services, special education, performing arts and athletics. Highlights of the meeting were an additional $773,000 for special education instruction, programs, supplies and transportation for the 1,149 total special needs students expected for the next year. An additional $133,000 was budgeted for K-12 textbooks, as well as $250,000 more for the summer special education program.

Officials announced that they were saving $110,000 by offering summer school through the Department of Community Activities and reducing the operating hours of the Oceanside Learning Center. The district is set to raise $73,000 in revenue from fees for students who wish to take Advanced Placement exams. Additionally, $98,000 would be saved by reducing instructional services provided by Boards of Cooperative Educational Services.

The total proposed expenditures for the next school year total $153.863 million, which is a 2.48 percent increase over last year’s budget. The district’s tax levy, or the portion of the budget raised through residential and commercial property taxes, was pegged at $123 million, which is a 2.9-percent increase over last year. Additionally, the district is set to receive $22.66 million in state aid and $8 million from other funding sources.

In regards to staffing, nine less employees will be on the district’s payroll in the upcoming school year, including one less social worker. Dr. Phyllis Harrington assured parents that Oceanside was in “good shape” when it came to social work, adding that it was staying well within state regulations. Voicing her concerns, school board Vice President Sandie Schoell said, “Our students are becoming more needy, not less needy.” Harrington replied that another social worker could be hired, and the additional help would go to the school where it is most needed.

The board is scheduled to hold a budget hearing on May 2 to address residents’ concerns ahead of the May 15 budget referendum and board trustee election.