By Cindy J. Rothy
James Parla, the North Bellmore School District superintendent, said the proposed budget is focused on maintaining the level of education children receive in the district.
"We're in very, very difficult times," said Parla. "We agonized over this budget. This budget is more about maintaining this year than moving forward. We are looking at the bar being raised as to what we want out children to receive but yet state funding is going in the opposite direction and the gap is beginning to widen, and it puts the burden on taxpayers in the district."
For next school year, a North Bellmore resident with a home assessed at $7,500 could expect a school district tax bill of $2,544, up about $140 from $2,402 last year.
The elementary bill comes in addition to the Central High School District, which next school year is projected at $2,430 for a $7,500 home.
School Board members said they were proud to have brought in what they believe is one of the lowest tax rate increases in the county, even after receiving a decrease in total state aid by 4.68 percent, or $378,553.
The almost $30-million proposed budget accounts for a greater than twofold increase in monies set aside for special education because more students will need such services next year.
Another big chunk of money in the budget goes for increased technology initiatives to create a student management network that tracks student success and achievement over the elementary school years. The district also plans to install an interactive Web site for students, teachers and parents, which will facilitate more communication between the triad.
Over the years, the district has supplied a steady stream of funds to equip all six school buildings with computers and Internet access in the classroom, but now said Parla, it is important to get teachers, staff and students to use the existing network to its full capabilities, beyond the Internet and word processors.
"This budget represents how to use that network," said Parla. "A big amount of money [is set aside in the budget], but the fact of the matter is there is no point in having a sophisticated network if we can't use it."
Assistant Business Superintendent Howard Pollitt said increasing costs for health insurance, workmen's compensation, general liability premiums and transportation also added to the rising tax rate, in addition to three and a half new staff positions and annual salary raises.
The district also saw a drop in certain costs, especially for equipment and supplies at Martin Avenue now that the school is fully up and running.
"We pieced this thing together in a fiscally prudent way," said Parla.
"The numbers are amounts needed at a minimum."
The North Bellmore School District is to hold another public budget workshop March 7 at 7 p.m. at Martin Avenue School. The budget will be introduced to the public during the March Board of Education meeting March
14. The budget vote is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21.
