By Scott Brinton
"I wish I had a lot of good news, but I don't," Caramore told the audience of mostly school administrators and a handful of residents.
A virtually "flat" increase in state aid, coupled with rising costs associated with a growing student population, are driving a roughly 3-percent increase in the district's more than $78-million budget, the superintendent said.
Central is projected to receive a .63-percent increase, or about $83,000 more, in state aid next year, according to Gov. George Pataki's proposed 2002 budget.
Central's budget increase, which Caramore said would likely fall among the lowest in Nassau County, would translate into a "less-than" 6-percent rise in property taxes.
For next school year, a resident with a home assessed at $7,500 could expect a Central tax bill of $2,430, if the district's current budget projections remain as they are and voters approve the spending plan. Littman warned, though, that budget hearings have only just begun, and figures could change in the coming weeks.
The tax increase for Central's Proposition I on the May ballot (which includes the budget plus $2.2 million in school repairs) would be $1.79 per $100 of assessed value. The district's 2001-2002 tax rate is $30.62 per $100, according to George Littman, Central assistant superintendent for business.
The Central tax bill comes in addition to that which residents pay for their component elementary school districts.
Louis Kruh, the Central School Board president, encouraged residents to write to state senate and assembly members, requesting greater education aid in the 2002 state budget.
"There's one time-proved way to get the attention of elected officials, and that is by writing a letter..." Kruh said. "There has to be as concentrated an effort as possible." People should also send their letters to the governor, he said.
Trustee Michael Weinick wondered why, if the New York Lottery is pulling in millions in revenues, those monies are not going for education. "We should be getting more lottery aid," he said.
Caramore said that, without state aid, "The only place that money is made up is the local taxpayer," meaning districts are forced to raise taxes to fill gaps caused by aid losses. The only other option is to reduce student services.
In addition to Proposition I, Central officials are putting up on the May ballot: Proposition II, which seeks $1.2 million for building repairs and upgrades; and Proposition III, which asks for $250,000 to add buses so that all students who live within 1.25 miles of their high schools and one mile from their middle schools receive transportation. Right now, the district's transport limit is 1.5 miles.
For a home assessed at $7,500, Proposition II would add .68 cents per $100 of assessed value, or $51, to the 2002-2003 tax bill.
Proposition III would increase taxes by .14 cents per $100, or $10.50.
Annual school elections, including the public budget vote, will take place on Tuesday, May 21. The Central board is to adopt the district's tentative spending plan during its April board meeting. The district's next budget hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20 at the Brookside School in North Merrick.
