By MIKE CAPUTO
That was a very positive and constructive action which will benefit the entire community, said Leon Campo, interim superintendent of schools.
Two weeks ago, Campo called upon the school board to consider adopting the budget earlier than the April 2 target date that had been established. At the time, Campo said he wanted a head start on presenting what has been described as a unique and creative budget.
The proposal called for a spending plan totaling just over $175 million, budget, a 2.2 percent increase over the current budget of $171.4 million. Officials project a 3.5 percent increase in the tax levy. The tax rate and levy are usually not released by the county assessor until August.
The proposed budget has no staff reductions or layoffs, and preserves all educational programs. Because it applies significant reserve funds, the budget does not reflect increases in costs such as utilities and supplies.
Promising state aid figures?
Word from Albany indicated on Monday that the state budget would not include the devastating cuts to education aid as once was feared back when Gov. David Paterson proposed his executive budget in December.
In fact, state officials are saying that school districts should actually gain additional funding for education because of money received from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
However, Campo explained that the state budget-s elimination of the STAR property tax rebate check program and additional taxes actually creates additional expenses for residents. He said such additional taxes makes it even more crucial for school districts to contain the tax levy.
Superintendent search to be addressed
The school board has yet to officially schedule a presentation for prospective search firms to conduct what would be the third attempt at finding a new, permanent superintendent in the East Meadow district.
On Tuesday, Board President Brian O-Flaherty said a potential firm declined the East Meadow district-s invitation because of what they heard about the first failed superintendent search last June.
There have been disagreements among board members about the direction of the superintendent search, but Trustee Abby Rothschild-Kaplan emphasized that it is important for everyone to be on the same page.
In my opinion the current obstacles that have been distracting the East Meadow Board of Education have taken the focus off the goal of finding the right superintendent to lead us in a direction forward in the best interest of the children, the teachers and the taxpayers, Rothschild-Kaplan said.
She said that although a candidate could be found in-house, the options must remain open.
We have to give this community the best shot at looking at the right person, Rothschild-Kaplan said.
The superintendent search was scheduled to appear on the agenda at the next work session, on Thursday, April 1 at 6:30 p.m. in the Leon J. Campo Salisbury Center, 718 The Plain Road, Salisbury.
