State Aid Restoration Helps Save Some School Jobs

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. State legislators, who advocated for high tax aid to be restored to Long Island districts, told school officials to expect the high-tax aid to return. Not only was that aid restored, but Commack also received an additional $159,388, which will go toward saving the student services mentioned above.

Superintendent Donald James said at a contentious informal budget hearing last Thursday that the bonus $159,388 will be used to restore one guidance counselor position at $84,542 as well as bring back the late bus runs at $17,000. The remaining $57,346 will go to reducing the tax levy.

James said that the district is continuing its analysis of the number of students riding the 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. buses.  “If the buses are empty were not going to run the buses, but every child will have a ride home”

Currently, the Commack School District is looking at a spending plan of $179,386,921, for the 2013-14 school year, which is an increase of about $8 million from the current year. The proposed spending plan carries a 2.91 percent tax levy, which will result in a tax rate increase between $270 and $280.

Some additions students will see next year will include new computer labs, video conferencing rooms, tablets and e-readers, increased security cameras and security personnel, and new energy efficient equipment. All of the technology improvements are funded through legislative grants.

Budget to budget, the district is looking to trim about $3 million in its costs from the current school year to the coming one. Some of those reductions include fewer buses for declining enrollment, the eliminate 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.

While $3 million in cuts are being made, the superintendent said that class sizes would remain about the same as the current year. In addition, he said that students will have the same level of service in all areas including art, music, library, physical education, athletics, co-curricular clubs, assessment and regents prep classes.

If the budget fails, additional cuts would likely include cutting athletics, co-curricular activities, all late buses, an additional reduction of library monitors, increased class sizes in Kindergarten through fifth grades, additional nursing staff cuts, full day kindergarten, the eight-period day at the high school and middle school and additional staffing and reductions.

The Board of Education will formally adopt the budget on April 18. No alterations can be made once the budget is adopted.

Related:

• School Budget: Sparks Fly at Heated Hearing
• School Budget: 3:30 Late Bus May Stay
• School Budget: Class Sizes to Remain Below Cap
• Declining Enrollment: Is It Time for School District Consolidation?
• Letter to the Editor: Fresh Faces Needed on Commack School Board
• How Much More Can Commack School Taxpayers Take?