By Cindy J. Roth
For next school year, a Bellmore resident with a home assessed at $7,500 could expect a school district tax bill of $2,851, up by about $221 from $2,630 last year. The elementary bill comes in addition to the Central High School District, which next school year is projected at $2,430 with a $7,500 assessment.
Richard Daddio, Bellmore's assistant superintendent for business and technology services, said the state's freeze on school aid this year only makes the board's job of expanding instructional programs within the district's three schools that much more difficult.
"The district is under a unique set of circumstances this year," said Daddio. "When the state freezes or caps aid, it's a very difficult thing for a district to endure. It has really put a strain on the district."
Even if no changes were made to last year's budget, homeowners would face a potential tax increase alone of $2.52 per $100 of assessed value, or a 7.19-percent overall increase, owing to a reduction in state aid and increases in insurance premiums.
Broken down, the minimum tax increase of $2.52 per $100 of assessed value is derived from a tax-rate increase of $1.55 per $100 of assessed home value to pay for unfunded state educational mandates.
Also, an unavoidable 18-percent rise in health insurance premiums and a 75- to 100-percent increase in general insurance premiums adds another 97 cents per $100 to homeowners' tax bills next year.
After the district factors in scheduled salary increases and salaries for a new assistant principal and new non-instruction staff, totaling $135,000, in the proposed budget, Bellmore homeowners can expect their tax-rate increase to be closer to $3 per $100 of assessed value.
Daddio said the Bellmore Board of Education continues to work to tighten their projected 2002-2003 budget, but he avoided discussing which areas of the budget might be cut. He added that board members hope they will avoid setting a high tax rate next year.
"Our primary mission is to educate children, and we want to maintain our programs and expand when possible," said Daddio. "It's a real difficult decision to make reductions."
The Bellmore Board of Education is to adopt a final proposed budget April 9 and present it to the public at a meeting May 7. Residents are to vote on the spending plan Tuesday, May 21.
