By EVAN NEMEROFF
At the first of three budget work sessions, on Jan. 28, District 14 officials discussed cutting personnel as well as programs.
“It is important to understand the long-term consequences that cuts could have on the district,” said Dr. Peter Weber, the district’s assistant superintendent of business. “Some may think that making cuts is easy, but we have to understand the full implications that making each cut will have. We need to hear the best recommendations that we can get.”
District 14’s current budget is $94.48 million, 5.8 percent more than 2007-08. Officials were considering a 4.94 percent increase next year, but that number needs to be reduced, Weber said.
“The 2009-10 budget cannot sustain a business-as-usual model,” said Dr. Les Omotani, Hewlett-Woodmere superintendent. “We must balance the needs of our students and the expectations of our parents with the capacity of our community's taxpayers. There will be some areas of programs and services, especially those not directly related to the instruction of students, where we will make significant operating changes.”
Over the next month, a District Leadership Team, made up of school administrators, directors, principals and assistant principals, will identify areas where the spending plan can be trimmed. “It is very important for the District Leadership Team to be involved in the entire budget development process,” said Rich Berkowitz, principal of Woodmere Middle School. “We have to be aware of how budget development affects the entire district, not just our own schools, in order to provide appropriate services to all students throughout their years in the district. This prevents schools from working in isolation and fosters collaboration.”
District administrators are planning for the future by preparing extended budget reports for the next few years. “We do not believe that the current financial challenges will exist for only one year,” Omotani said. “Our goal will be to plan for several years. In this environment, it is a difficult task to continue to balance the needs of our students and the expectations of parents with the capacity of our community's taxpayers. We are committed to rising to this challenge.”
School administrators said they believe they can get through this difficult time because they began preparing for it early. Unused funds from last year will help reduce the tax levy increase. The district also has money in reserve in case any major renovations are needed. To reduce energy costs, there is discussion in the district of turning off computer monitors when they are not in use.
With student enrollment projected to drop next year, Omotani said he believes the district could function with five fewer teachers. Even if more parents enroll their children in the public schools, the district is confident that five is a realistic number.
Residents will have the opportunity to ask questions about the budget and offer their input in the two remaining work sessions. This will help administrators and school board members determine which programs are important to the community. The school board also plans to listen to club and department advisors' opinions on why they feel their activities should remain part of the budget. The next meeting will take place on Sunday, March 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the final budget session is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7.
Weber said he is optimistic that the district will continue to thrive even during these troubling economic times. “Our budget must sustain the depth and breadth of programs and services that make our schools so special," he said. "When we finish, this will probably be the lowest budget proposal in years. We will make it through the difficult times over the next several years and find a way to sustain the programs that define our district.”
Comments about this story? ENemeroff@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
