Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Long Beach Board of Education adopted its 2011-12 school budget at the April 5 board meeting, approving a plan that school officials said is much tighter than in past years yet would keep all programs intact.
On March 8, district officials proposed the $118.6 million spending plan, an increase of $2.2 million, or 1.86 percent, over the current budget. The tax levy — the total amount the district needs to raise through property taxes — would remain unchanged, at $88.9 million.
Following the March 31 approval of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s state budget, which cut about $1.3 billion in education spending, Long Beach schools stand to lose roughly $3.7 million in state aid, according to the district’s chief operating officer, Michael DeVito. At last week’s meeting, DeVito noted that the district is receiving $18.6 million in state aid this school year but can expect only $15.8 million in 2011-12, a reduction of 15 percent. As a result, the district plans to use $3.9 million in reserve funds to offset the state cuts.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Greenberg expressed confidence in the spending proposal, which he described as “a far leaner and more efficient budget” that maintains programs. He stressed that the district has made many cuts in spending to compensate for increases in mandated costs such as health insurance, pension contributions, employee collective bargaining agreements and tax certiorari liability.
DeVito, who provided an overview of the budget proposal, said that, facing the mandated increases, officials reduced costs in other areas, which included making some staff reductions.
Members of the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee, however, said that the district could have done more to rein in spending. While school officials said they are confident the budget will pass in May, committee member Francis McQuade said after the meeting that the board “needs to start reflecting the needs of the taxpayers.”
McQuade added, “The committee has spoken as a unit. I think we’re spending too much money. My prediction is that there’s going to be a massive voter backlash in this district, as well as other districts across Long Island.”
