by Jonann Brady
Last Wednesday's meeting was the culmination of a series of budget workshops in which the board pored over the district's costs. The board has said that it is committed to maintaining programs and staff lines to keep class sizes low. Many of the biggest jumps in the budget have come from salary increases and spikes in the cost of employee health care, social security and retirement benefits for the state.
At the meeting, the board and administration decried the $1.8 million loss in state building aid for this year. "They pulled the rug out," said the deputy superintendent for administration, Lee Chapman, explaining that building funds are now doled out on a priority basis, meaning that Baldwin faces competition from other districts, many with buildings and grounds in disrepair.
School districts could get a lift in funding when the state budget, due April 1, is passed, but New York State has not passed a budget on time in 19 years. If the district were to receive more funding from the state, it would be applied to the tax levy.
Before voting on the proposed budget, the board debated a number of last-minute items, including whether to hold the high school graduation on or off campus. Graduation ceremonies were moved inside last year after a thunderstorm interrupted the festivities, leaving many family members unable to watch the event.
The board decided to upgrade technology in order to hold the ceremony in the gymnasium in the event of inclement weather and provide a sound system and big-screen television in the auditorium for an overflow of spectators. The board estimates that technology would cost $1,400, as opposed to $11,000 for an off-campus event.
The board also voted not to fund microphones for board meetings, a third mini-bus at a cost of $42,500, or a sign for the district office. Board member Mary Jo O'Hagan said she would like to enlist the community to help fund a sign through sponsorships or fundraisers.
The board did approve $7,700 for new rugs for kindergarten, first- and second-grade classrooms. "That's consistent with trying to make people feel good about being here and working here," said board President James Scannell.
The board also approved $1,500 to create a second junior varsity lacrosse team, which was a request by junior varsity lacrosse coaches who have been forced to cut scores of athletes from the first team because of the sport's increasing popularity.
The budget meetings have generated little public participation, and only two parents attended the meeting last week. PTA President Anne Hannon, who has attended all the workshops, said she believes the board developed a sound budget despite being faced with cuts to state aid and rising pension costs.
"I think it's a very good budget," she said. "They've added some programs that will help the children, like the Saturday program at the middle school to help students prepare for testing."
Residents will have the opportunity to vote on the school and library budgets as well as school and library board races on Tuesday, May 20 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the high school.
Baldwin School District 2003-04 Proposed Budget
2002-03 Budget 2003-04 Budget Change
Expenditures $77,831.065 82,076,655 5.17%
State Aid 16,700,000 15,244,500* -9.54%*
Other Revenue 2,175,000 2,000,000 -8.75%
Total Non-Tax
Revenue 20,140,000 18,334,500* -9.84%*
Tax Levy 57,691,065 63,742,155* 10.49%*
*Numbers are not final and are based on the state budget and final property tax rolls.
Figuring your taxes
According to the County Assessor's Office's tentative numbers, the average assessed value of a home in Baldwin is $2,856 (1 percent of market value), and the school tax rate for a residential property will be $85.64. Note: These numbers will not be official until April 1, after the Herald goes to press.
To figure the school portion of your property taxes, divide the assessed value of your home by 100 and multiply by the tax rate. In this case, the average homeowner in Baldwin would pay $2,445.88 in school taxes.
