Schools

Commack School Board Adopts $179M Budget

The spending plan represents an $8 million increase from the current year's.

The Commack Board of Education unanimously adopted the 2013-14 school budget of $179,386,921 Thursday night at the High School.

The budget is an $8 million increase from the current year’s spending plan and will result in a tax levy increase of 2.91 percent, which is within the state limit. If passed, the average Commack homeowner will see a tax rate increase of between $270 and $280.

No changes to the proposal were made since the last budget hearing on April 4, Superintendent Donald James said.

When school budget discussions first began in Commack, the district was positioned to cut health personnel, guidance counselors, late buses and more as the district struggles with an astronomical surge in pension payments: a $3.5 million increase next year. However, restoration of state aid to the tune of $2.1 million will help save some of those expected services.

James said that class sizes will remain around the current level and added security will also be seen in the school buildings.

New next school year will be the addition of technology such as e-tablets, video conferencing and iPads, which were all grant funded.

The largest increases in the budget are due to skyrocketing teacher pension costs, which are rising by about 40 percent next year, as well as contractual obligations including increased salaries and benefits.

To meet required costs and adjust to lower enrollment, about $3 million in reduction were made from the current spending plan. Some of those reductions include fewer buses for declining enrollment, the elimination of an elementary lead teacher stipend for arts, a reduction in library monitor and one full-time librarian, the reduction of two full-time nurses, the elimination of five full-time custodians and four clerical staff members. Other reductions include a mental health professional position and consolidation of under-enrolled teams.

Teacher contract renewals will be up for renegotiation at the end of next year. Tris Stewart, a union leader of the Commack Teachers Association said that the teachers are open to making changes to their contracts when that time comes.
“Commack Teachers Association is more than willing to come to the table and negotiate,” he said.

“We’re here to tell the public right now that we are willing to work with the district. I don’t want there to be any misconception out there that the teachers aren’t willing to play ball. That is not the case,” he added.

In addition to vote on the budget next month, there will also be a second proposal on the ballot to raise the number of trustees on the Board of Education from five to seven members. If passed, there will be a special election over the summer to elect those trustees.

The budget vote and trustee election will take place May 21.


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