By NANCY HILER
Assistant to the Superintendent Toni Ann Cincotta presented the budget. "This is a 6.97 percent budget-to-budget increase, an 8.81 percent levy-to-levy increase," she said comparing it to a budget figure for 2006-07 of $39.3 million. That figure consists of last year's $38.8 million budget figure, with the addition of a $450,000 capital fund transfer for a roof at Jacob Gunther School, presented on last year's ballot as a separate proposition.
Cincotta said that a separate capital improvement proposition will be presented again this year, also at $450,000, which will be earmarked for security systems and various reconstruction projects, including but not limited to Newbridge Road School. When asked by a community member whether these capital projects included recommendations made by the district-wide Facilities Planning Committee, Cincotta as well as board Trustee Mary Oporto said that shorter-term repairs were being covered, not the longer-term building issues that the committee continues to consider. Additionally, Cincotta said that last year the district gave back $1.3 million to taxpayers, and intended this year to return $2 million to offset the levy-to-levy increase.
"Pulling together the budget this year was an arduous task," Superintendent of Schools Dominic Mucci said. Despite reports in a daily newspaper that "state aid would appear to be a windfall, that is not the case in North Bellmore. Although you'd read in the paper that the increase is $500,000, it is approximately $350,000 over last year." He explained that portions of the reported aid package to the district were dollars that were not actually received, including $145,000 earmarked for a universal pre-K program, which North Bellmore does not have. "Although it appears on our line, it doesn't exist," Mucci said. "When they say Long Island school districts are getting large increases in state aid, someone had better read the fine print, because for us it's just not that way."
The three-part budget allocation mandated by the state is split into administration, capital and program. "The lion's share goes to the most important one, to direct services to students," Cincotta said, referring to 79.34 percent of the total spending plan going to program.. Dr. Marilyn Johnson, director of curriculum, and Mucci emphasized that no programs have been discontinued or cut back. Additional funding is earmarked for software and hardware, as technology funding was limited in previous years. The remaining 9.63 percent is going to capital and 11.03 percent to administration
When asked by several Gunther parents if classes would be combined into large class sizes, Mucci responded that although the language in the teachers' contract calls for an average of 28 students per class, "This board has not gone to that point, nor is that its intention." He said they consider demographics and dynamics in a classroom, not a number. Noting that enrollment is anticipated to be down by about 50 students in September, Mucci added that four teaching positions were targeted for possible elimination, and one contingent position held.
"This has been one of the most challenging years," Board of Education President Joe Perrone said. He pointed to "flat" state aid for the district, uncertainty of a new governor, ongoing increases in salaries and fuel costs, and the aging school buildings as among the issues that entered into the district's discussions. Thanking Cincotta and Mucci, he added, "You have done a good job of sharpening your pencil and putting forth the best budget possible under the circumstances."
In-depth budget presentations are being held, all open to the public, as follows:
*April 17at Saw Mill Road PTA meeting, 7:30 p.m.
*April 19 at Martin Avenue PTA meeting, 7:30 p.m.
*April 24 at Park Avenue PTA meeting, 7:30 p.m.
*April 30at Newbridge Road PTA meeting, 7 p.m.
*May 1 at Gunther PTA meeting, 7 p.m.
May 2 at Dinkelmeyer PTA meeting, 7 p.m.
*May 3 Board of Education meeting at Martin Avenue, 8 p.m.
The Board of Education trustee elections and budget vote will take place on May 15 from 1 to 10 p.m. at Newbridge Road School
Comments about this story? NHiler@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 234.
