Hewlett-Woodmere School District holds a different kind of public budget forum

The Hewlett-Woodmere School District Board of Education and other officials might have thought they were speaking to no one as the Woodmere Education Center was without a live audience as the March 24 public budget forum was conducted by live stream on the district’s website because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In spite of the state mandated gathering ban, Superintendent Dr. Ralph Marino explained that it is important to still hold a meeting on the proposed fiscal plan for the 2020-2021 school year. “Putting together this proposal has been a year-long process for us,” he said. “It’s important to gather feedback from the community for this.”

The preliminary fiscal plan is $126,882,632, a 2.89 percent increase from the current budget of $123.3 million. The 2.89 percent increase is in line with the state’s tax levy increase. The anticipated tax levy  the amount of money the district collects from property taxes -- is $106,273,125. The district is also expecting to receive $12,645,293 in state aid, a $314,366 increase from the current budget. 

Assistant Superintendent for Business Louis Frontario said that the tentative budget, despite the 2.89 percent spending increase, is in the best interest of the community. “An important thing to mention about this proposal is that it preserves everything we know and love about this district,” he said. “This includes clubs and services that are beneficial to our students.” Frontario added that the average budget increase since 2012-2013 has been 2.32 percent.

Transportation is one of the larger increases in spending at 4.53 percent. It will cost the district a little more than $8 million to transport students next school year. Frontario noted how the district accounts for students who attend school outside the district. “We have about 1,400 kids that live within our district that go to about 90 different private schools,” he said. “We’re responsible for the transportation of those students.” That is a state mandate.

There 17 people who watched the meeting. Only one resident had a question for the officials, Hector, who did not provide his last name, asked why the budget proposal should have a spending increase given the current health crisis. Greebel said that not increasing spending would result in having to make up roughly $3 million. “While nothing is written in stone with the proposal, this would be a discussion the board would have,” Greebel said. “We do have the option of using $3 million in capital reserves, but that would put us in a hole in the future.”

The budget vote and trustee election are scheduled for May 19. Greebel acknowledged that the date could change because of the evolving pandemic. “I’m not sure if these meeting dates will go on as scheduled,” he said. “We’re waiting for the other shoe to drop from the governor in Albany.”

The live streamed meetings and budget proposal can be viewed at: https://bit.ly/3byk0To.