High school programs getting a boost

The Valley Stream Central High School District Board of Education adopted its 2014-15 budget on March 11 with much less confrontation than a year ago, when the district had to make $2.65 million in cuts.

The adopted budget, totaling just under $108.5 million, features a tax levy increase of 1.49 percent and will require a 60 percent supermajority to pass, since the levy exceeds the district’s maximum allowable increase of .049 percent. The board adopted the budget, which is 2.09 percent larger than this year’s spending plan, with an 8-0 vote. Trustee Jeanne Greco Jacobs was absent.

There could still be changes, based on what the district receives in state aid when the State Legislature approves its budget in the coming weeks. Under Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed budget, which was released in January, the district would receive $17.81 million in state aid, an increase of just $112,000. “On a $108 million budget, that is not a lot of money,” said Superintendent Dr. Bill Heidenreich.

Board Vice President Frank Chiachiere made a recent trip to Washington, D.C., to lobby federal officials for more funding, and President Elise Antonelli and Trustee Tony Iadevaio traveled to Albany to make their case to state representatives.

Under the adopted budget, some academic programs would be restored, including an SAT preparation course and a seventh-grade science research class, which were not offered this year, along with electives in art, family and consumer sciences, business and technology.

Without a sufficient number of electives, “kids are not fully scheduled and don’t have the opportunity to explore avenues of interest,” Heidenreich said.

Also, one teaching position in each of the five major subject areas would be brought back, and a math department chair for Memorial Junior High School would be established.

According to Heidenreich, the district has cut more than 70 instructional and support staff positions since the 2007-08 school year, which has resulted in increased class sizes and reduced opportunities for students. The average class size has risen from 25 to 28 students since 2008, he said.