Valley Stream high school board adopts budget

The Valley Stream Central High School District Board of Education adopted its proposed 2011-12 budget on March 8. Facing nearly $3 million in mandated increases, largely due to retirement and employee benefit costs, school officials approved a $101.98 million spending plan — with the lowest increase in more than 10 years for the district.

The proposal, a 1.29 percent budget increase and a 1.96 tax levy increase, is subject to voter approval. “I think the budget was very carefully done,” said Ken Cummings, the board president. “I think it’s a fair budget for the community and students.”

District officials strategically approached the budget, making sure that all proposed reductions did not harm the core instructional program. With estimated state aid about $15.4 million — a more than $2 million reduction — the budget belt was tightened. Many administrators said that increasing expenses and less federal money could result in modifying and even cutting programs. Though they did not want to make some drastic reductions, looming financial woes including Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed tax cap, passed by the Senate in February and awaiting the assembly’s approval, gave them little choice.

“These decisions are not made lightly,” said Dr. Richard Marsh, interim superintendent. “Without doing anything, our expenses go up. What you do in this situation is you start to look at the budget and make tough decisions. As educators, the first priority is for students so you try to conserve that core program.”

The budget includes a $450,000 reduction for school athletic supplies and equipment, and postpones $50,000 in textbook purchases. One teaching assistant and monitor in each school will be cut, as well as a part-time social worker at Central High School and a part-time psychologist at South High. Officials are eliminating the district’s automotive program, which serves 25 students in grades 11-12, and South High School’s construction and remodeling program. The district will instead offer these programs through Nassau BOCES.

Under the plan, there will also be a reduction of extracurricular clubs at each school. Several middle school athletic teams, varsity assistant coaches and the district’s recreational program are to be cut. And officials are looking at a 15 percent increase in adult education fees.

Officials pushed other alternatives for sports and programs such as the Police Athletic League and village recreational activities.

Trustee Larry Trogel asked the board early on to consider projecting preliminary numbers two years in advance to keep from “running into possible trouble down the road.”

Before adopting the budget, the board discussed if capital reserve funds could be used to fix an exterior sign at South High School. Trustee Anthony Iadevaio asked if that would amend the budget and if the community would have to vote on it. “None of the other three schools mentioned something about signs,” said Jeanne Greco Jacobs, the board’s vice president. “It was a surprise that the community had the desire to have a sign, but it’s give and take. How can you do one sign and not do all of them?”

Board members said that they may try to include it in this year’s capital reserve proposition that will go before voters. Other projects will include some blacktop repairs at all four schools, painting Central High School’s auditorium and containing the garbage dumpsters at South High School.

The budget and capital reserve will be among three propositions on the ballot for the May 17 vote. There will also be a proposition to establish a new capital reserve fund for $7.7 million over 10 years.