By Jonann Brady
Gov. George Pataki has 10 days to veto the bill, which he has vowed to do to maintain a no-new-taxes pledge, but the Legislature will most likely override that veto.
Earlier last week, the Legislature united to override a Pataki veto of an Election Day delay, granting school districts an additional two weeks to work on their budgets with a more accurate picture of state-aid funding. Baldwin voters will now go to the polls to vote on the budget and for school board trustees on June 3 instead of May 20.
Considerable Republican support is needed to drum up a two-thirds super-majority to override the governor's veto, which seems likely at this point. "The unprecedented fiscal challenges facing both New York state and local governments required the Legislature to work together and make vital restorations to the executive budget," said Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre).
Under the restoration package, Baldwin would receive an additional $2,089,594, for a total state-aid package of $17,334,177.
Since no programs were cut in this year's budget, district officials anticipate the additional monies would be used to reduce the tax levy. "We're thrilled," said Superintendent Dr. Kathy Weiss. "This will mean a significant drop in the tax levy."
Before this news of additional funding, the tax levy was set to rise 10.5 percent. Weiss could not say at this point how much the levy would drop, but the new budget will be discussed at upcoming board meetings on May 14 and May 20.
The additional two weeks also shakes up the schedule of events leading up to Election Day. Board of education candidates had until 5 p.m. on Monday, May 5 to submit petitions, but no other petitions were turned in, according to the district clerk's office.
The budget hearing will now be held May 20, a candidate forum will be held May 21, and the final day to register to vote will be May 29.
The vote for the library budget will also be pushed back to June 3.
In a further boon to school districts, the Legislature is also enacting pension-reform legislation that would enable school districts and local municipalities to prepare for rising payments to the public pension systems. Because of dramatic stock market losses, the state comptroller recently established a school district contribution rate equal to 11 percent of employees' gross wages. The Legislature will pass a measure capping the contribution rate at 4 percent in 2003, while allowing school districts and municipalities to amortize next year's costs in excess of 7 percent over a period of five years.
Despite some hassles and the additional costs of publicizing the time changes, school officials aren't complaining. Comparing the relatively small costs incurred with the changes and an additional $2 million for the district is "no competition," said Weiss.
New Election Schedule
Tuesday, May 20, 8 p.m. Budget Hearing District Office
Wednesday, May 21, 8 p.m. Candidates Forum District Office
Thursday, May 29 Last Day to Register to Vote
Tuesday, June 3 School & Library Board/Budget Elections SHS
