District adopted budget within tax cap and preserves programs

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It has been a difficult year, said Dr. Patrick Pizzo, the superintendent of business and finance for the East Meadow School District on Jan. 13, as the district drafted its 2021-2022 budget.

The estimated tax levy limit, $145.8 million for the 2021 to 2022 school year, requires voter approval. This is a 1.88 percent increase from last year’s tax cap. The budget, roughly $217.6 million, is a 1.62 percent increase from last year’s budget but does not pierce the tax cap.

“One thing I want to point out is that this budget does not take away any programs,” said Dr. David Casamento, the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, at the March 24 Board of Education meeting. “All existing programs stay as is.”

If a budget is voted down by the public, a contingency budget incorporates the same tax levy, but a reduction of the budget by around $1.2 million. Non-health and safety capital items would be removed in the case of a contingency budget and there could be a charge for building and field use by the public. Other facets of the budget would have to be reviewed as well.

Dr. Kenneth A. Card Jr., the superintendent of schools for the East Meadow School District, assured the school and local community that the district would remain diligent in its spending plan that will keep students and the taxpayers in mind.

But forming this budget has been a challenge, said Pizzo. Covid-19 related mitigation expenses moving forward, repayment of funds borrowed from reserves to cover Covid-19 related expenses are all challenges that the district is facing in the coming years.

The East Meadow School District could receive approximately $3.6 million as part of Capitol Hill’s financial support of school districts amid the Covid-19 crisis, Sen. Chuck Schumer’s office announced in late March. But Pizzo emphasized that state aid, as well as this federal funding, and how it is going to be issued has not yet been clearly delineated. “This is happening in real time right now,” he said. “The ink is not dry on this yet.”

Cost drivers also include health insurance premiums, salary and contractual obligations, pension contributions, equipment purchases and repairs, transportation, utility costs and computer, technology and network maintenance.

The district has been able to save in some departments, however. “We have not had trips, we have vastly decreased the amount of athletics, so that does have a financial impact, which is measurable in regard to an advantage,” said Pizzo. “While we’re hoping it’s as close to normal as possible in September, it is likely we will see a decrease in the fall of 2021.”

As for changes in staffing, there are several ideas being considered, including expanding the Reach Program at Bowling Green. Because of a small group of incoming kindergartners with special needs, the district is considering bringing back students from out-of-district placement to create a full class of students on-site. This would ultimately save the district money in tuition.

The district is also considering reconfiguring the department chairperson positions district-wide because there are currently three that are vacant. Instead of having four chairperson positions, the district could save by having them take on two departments, like science and math, at once.

Pizzo said that if the budget is passed programs that the community has enjoyed will continue.

The budget was adopted by the Board of Education on April 7 and there will be a public hearing on May 5. The budget vote, as well as a trustee election, will take place on May 18. Voting hours are extended until 10 p.m.