By Jennifer Marino
The discussion only dealt with the expenditure side of the budget. Numbers released at the meeting do not factor in changes in adjusted-base proportions, which will also increase taxes for residents because a new state formula places less of the burden on commercial entities. Last year, 62 percent of the school tax burden was paid by homeowners, but it has been upped to 86 percent. The board has not made any decisions yet and is hoping for more input from Rockville Centre residents.
Many of the items discussed would be suspended for one year and possibly brought back. The position of the math implementation coordinator, for instance, may be suspended for one year. The board is also considering suspending the foreign language program in the elementary school. The board and administrators prioritized the core academic program as most important.
Board President Meg Koch said that they tried not to take away from the students closest to graduating from high school since they will not be able to make up any deficiencies. It is not the kind of prioritizing the boards wants to do, but during this fiscal crisis they have no choice, she said.
Many items proposed for inclusion in this yearÕs budget will likely be cut, such as a full summer school at South Side High School. A literacy coordinator position might also be delayed for at least a year. New music stands, desks, fitness equipment, security cameras and window replacements will almost definitely be cut also.
Increases to existing budget items could also be cut or shifted. For example, the salaries for some teachersÕ assistants may be shifted to be paid by grant money. The largest of the items in question is the TeachersÕ Retirement System contributions. The payment schedule would be changed so that the $710,000 would be due next year instead of this year. This does not mean that the district would be paying twice that amount next year since the entire payment schedule would be changed. All the money due would be shifted back one year.
Superintendent Dr. William Johnson also suggested that class caps would be more strictly adhered to. Currently, the district uses its own discretion to allow for classes that are smaller than the cap sizes, 25 for kindergarten through second grade, 27 for third grade and 28 for fourth and fifth grades. The caps will remain at those existing numbers no matter what.
Several parents expressed disappointment at the idea of strictly adhering to class caps, stressing the need for flexibility in special cases. Johnson and Koch said that none of these cuts are set in stone. Johnson said that he hopes the math implementation coordinator could return. They urged parents and community members to attend board meetings to express their opinions on cuts and on what tax increase they would be willing to pay.
Johnson said it seemed as though the community members in attendance donÕt want to damage the instructional program and those considerations have been taken into account as the budget process continues.
The preliminary budget hearing on April 14 will be the last opportunity for the community to voice opinions and for the board to make changes before the budget vote.
Also discussed was the reorganization of some programs and services to eliminate some staff. It was emphasized that changes would be made in a way so that the students wouldnÕt notice a difference. The re-organization could happen in STELLAR, music, art, physical education and psychological services. Principals might also be asked to cut 10 percent from the budgets they submitted.
Parents in attendance expressed a willingness to pay more taxes this year in order to keep programs in place. Dr. Johnson asked those in attendance to consult their neighbors and get a feel for what kind of budget would be acceptable to them. If the budget proposed by the board is voted down twice, a contingency budget would be adopted. It only allows for a 1.92-percent increase and would mean cutting 40-to-50 staff members.
