By Jeff Lipton
The budget proposal, which was approved by the school board on April 3, calls for a $4.9 million increase to $112.6 million, with an estimated tax levy increase of 4.9 percent.
According to Frank Ruggiero, assistant superintendent for business in Long Beach, the district's budget increases have shown a steady decline over the past four years. The budget hike in 2005-06, for example, was 6.2 percent, he said.
`"Our budget increases have been going down when many other districts' increases have been going up," said Ruggiero. "We've maintained a very conservative approach to our expenditures. The district has been fine-lining every appropriation."
He said residents have offered favorable comments that the district has been able to keep the budget increase under 5 percent. "The budget has shown a steady decrease in percentage of change over the last four years," he said, adding that the tax levy hike has also dipped over that span.
"Traditionally, over the last several years, the budgets have passed in Long Beach," Ruggiero said. "We're hoping the same will happen again this year. The community is generally supportive of its schools and they have shown that over the years. They participate heavily in our schools and they take a very responsible approach to the budget."
The school district's business chief said the district is very concerned about fuel costs over the next year. "We made some projections and we hope they will hold in place," Ruggiero said.
Ruggiero said that through a reallocation of resources the district was able to expand the foreign language program to the second grade. In addition, the budget provides for the expansion of health education programs in the elementary schools, and the district has managed to keep the budget increase to a minimum without cutting any programs or services, he said. "We've pretty much maintained all our AP [Advanced Placement] courses and college programs," he said.
He said only minor staff changes were made. The proposed budget includes a $1.7 million increase in instruction, which takes in teacher salaries, classroom supplies and materials.
Another $865,000 increase is being set aside for building operations, such as heating, fuel and utilities.
An additional $526,000 is earmarked for curriculum and instruction such as program development, textbooks and research, with an additional $750,000 set aside for capital construction projects. Transportation will show a $465,000 hike in costs.
The budget vote will take place on May 20, between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
"I hope the community comes out and votes," Ruggiero said. "We always like it when we get a large turnout."
Comments about this story? Jlipton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
