By Doug Miller
Meanwhile, the Board of Education announced the first draft of its $99 million budget for the 2005-06 school year. It includes an increase of nearly $7 million, to $77,362,787, in the program component, which is largely teacher salaries, despite a decrease in full-time employees from 657 to 642.
Next Tuesday, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Greenberg will unveil his proposed budget, based on the committee's recommendations.
The advisory committee, chaired by Steven Candon, listed several recommendations, most of which are intended to keep costs down or boost revenue. The most significant is the salary freeze, which comes at a time when the district and the teachers union are negotiating a new contract. Because of those ongoing negotiations, neither side would comment on the recommendations.
The committee also suggested that compensation for teachers' graduate-school work be based on their performance.
With its health insurance recommendation, the committee cited rising contributions by teachers in neighboring districts. Long Beach teachers pay an average of 7.5 percent of their health insurance coverage, according to the committee, while the standard contribution for teachers across Long Island is 15 to 20 percent.
The committee also recommended that the district limit its coverage to employees, and not cover their spouses or dependents.
In the area of personnel, the budget advisors recommended eliminating the four elementary-school guidance counselors. Two other recommendations sound more like a wish list: that the district join its neighbors in lobbying for lower special education-costs and lower payments into the teachers' retirement fund.
In other board news, Nicholas Restivo was granted tenure as the Long Beach High School principal, effective June 1. "Nick is the kind of human being you just get a good feeling about," said Greenberg. "He's a child advocate."
"I'm a huge Nick fan," Board of Education Trustee Roy Lester added.
In addition, John Emmons was announced as a new LBHS vice principal, in effect giving him the job he has been doing for most of the year.
Other news...
Board of Education President Pat Gallagher and Trustee Ruth Kaleko both announced Tuesday that they would seek another three-year term in the school board election May 17. Candidates who wish to run still have a few weeks before their petitions are due.
Gallagher's announcement should put to rest the persistent rumors that he will be a candidate for the Long Beach City Council in November. He had been mentioned as a possible candidate for both parties, but he is known to be an old friend of Long Beach City Council President Jim Hennessy.
Gallagher promised Tuesday that, if re-elected, he would not seek another office during those three years.
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