By Andrew Coen
Administrators are hoping to avoid a third straight year of operating on contingency, which dictates that money can be spent only on essential items. In order to avoid austerity, the Lawrence school board has adopted a budget for a June 15 revote that is $1,000 less than a contingency budget would be.
The original budget proposal of $89.3 million, which contained a 4.54 percent increase over the 2004-05 budget, was rejected by a margin of 397 votes on May 17. The new plan totals $88.4 million, a 3.5 percent increase. The new proposal would include a 4.15 percent tax levy increase and an estimated 6.46 percent tax increase for the average District 15 homeowner, according to the Nassau County Assessor's Office. The estimated tax rate would be $223.90 per $100 of the assessed value of a home, according to the assessor.
District officials were able to shave $890,000 from the original proposal without increasing class size or eliminating any programs or staffing. "It is as tight as we can get it," Lawrence Superintendent Dr. John Fitzsimons said of the new budget.
District officials were able to chalk up some $120,000 in savings to senior faculty members announcing their retirements. Administrators were also able to make cuts in the amount budgeted for out-of-district tuition expenses, printing costs, public relations, legal fees, planned maintenance costs and transportation expenditures.
Even though the proposed budget is around $1,000 less than a contingency budget, district officials feel it is vital for it to pass, so that they can spend the money freely without operating under the constraints of austerity. "To get off the cycle of a contingency budget is important not just from a fiscal standpoint, but for the health of the organization," said Fitzsimons.
"It's of the utmost importance that this budget pass so that we are not on contingency, so we have the flexibility to move money around where it might be needed," said Nikki Greene Douglas, co-president of the Lawrence Central Council PTA, which is in the process of making its traditional flurry of phone calls to urge people to support the budget.
The last Lawrence budget that was approved passed by 14 votes in a re-vote in June 2002. Lawrence voters have not approved a budget on the first try since 2001.
"If this budget, which is below contingency, does not pass, this is proof that the community cares nothing about the public-school children," said Greene Douglas. "If it passes, perhaps we can all move on as one community."
Fitzsimons emphasized that passing the proposed budget would help both public- and non-public-school students in the district, because district officials did not eliminate educational programs and services from the initial budget and proposed no changes in transportation expenditures or reduction of staff. "It's a budget that supports all school-aged children," said Fitzsimons. "This is a 'we' budget."
Voting on the revised budget will take place on Wednesday, June 15, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Number Six School in Woodmere, the Number Two School in Inwood, Lawrence High School in Cedarhurst, Lawrence Middle School and Atlantic Beach Village Hall. Anyone with questions about where to vote can call the district's main office at (516) 295-7030.
Comments about this story? ACoen@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
