Levittown seeks fair share of aid

The budget for Nassau County’s third-largest school district would top $205 million next year while maintaining all programs, services and staffing levels and asking taxpayers for little extra money, according to a draft spending plan unveiled by Levittown administrators last week.

At the first public budget meeting of the year on Jan. 20, Bill Pastore, the assistant superintendent for business, discussed a budget that would total $205.6 million for the 2016-17 school year, an increase of 1.9 percent, or $3.8 million. Much of that would be covered by an anticipated increase in state aid.

School officials expressed disappointment with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed budget and what it would mean for Levittown if left unchanged by the Legislature. While the district would get a $1.4 million increase, to $53.2 million, it would still be losing out on $1.75 million worth of aid it is entitled to through the Gap Elimination Adjustment.

“We need that,” Pastore said, noting that the district’s allowable tax levy increase is going to be close to zero, so Levittown will not be able to turn to its taxpayers for additional funds. “We don’t think that we got a fair cut.”

Superintendent Dr. Tonie McDonald said she is hopeful for some additional aid when the state budget is finalized, noting that the number traditionally goes up when the Legislature makes its proposal.

To make up the difference between the state aid and the budget increase, McDonald said, the district could turn to its reserves, because Levittown is in good enough financial shape to do so. “It’s early to make a decision like that,” she said.

The tax cap allows districts to raise their overall tax collections by either 2 percent or the consumer price index, whichever is lower. The CPI for school districts for 2016 is .12 percent. One of the reasons it is so low is because of decreasing oil prices, which Board of Education Trustee Michael Pappas said is a factor that has little to do with running a school district.

While the district benefits from lower costs for heating its buildings and fueling its vehicles, it is a small percentage of spending.

Staffing accounts for 82 percent of the budget, according to Pastore. Salaries are rising 1.4 percent, while pension costs are going down. Health care costs are going up “at somewhat of an alarming rate,” Pastore said, and the district is budgeting a 10 percent increase for next year.

No major building projects are planned for next year. The district is looking to construct a steeplechase — a water obstacle — at MacArthur High School so it can host regional track and field competitions. The Athletics Department is looking to update equipment in the weight room at both high schools and add a cardio room at each. Money would also be set aside for new automated external defibrillators at the schools to replace older ones.

Budget meetings will continue through May. On Feb. 3, the district will review the curriculum and instruction budget and spending for the Gerald R. Clapps Career and Technical Center. Special education and the tax cap calculation will be discussed the following week, with transportation to follow on March 2 and staffing needs on March 16.

The final spending plan, which could change from the current proposal, is expected to be adopted on March 30, with the budget vote on May 17.