RSS 2.0 FeedFebruary 10, 2011, Freeport-Baldwin Leader
Freeport schools begin budget contortion act
Meetings resume on school board issues.
The recent rough weather has played havoc with the Freeport school board meetings, and after losing two meetings to weather-related issues, the board met on Friday morning, February 4, at the Administration building.
The primary topic of discussion was the 2011-2012 budget, which will be debuted at a February 16 meeting – weather permitting – at Giblyn School.
Superintendent Dr. Kishore Kuncham prepared those in attendance for broaching the subject by showing a video of two circus contortionists getting into – and out of – a very small small box, which he compared to the dilemma that Freeport – and many other districts - find themselves in this year:
• Dr. Kuncham stated that, statewide, $1.5 billion in cuts to education is contained in Governor Andrew Cuomo's budget proposal. In addition, $1.3 billion of federal stimulus money will not be available next year. This is on top of cuts in aid last year to close that budget gap. The superintendent told the board that initial estimates indicate a loss of $6.3 million for Freeport in 2011-2012. Dr. Kuncham described the proposal as “completely out of touch.”
• Foundation aid, meant to benefit less-affluent districts like Freeport, has been frozen for two more years.
• Health insurance expenses are expected to go up 14%, and payments to the state retirement system will rise by 33%! The water fee (also called the “toilet tax” by Democrats) will place further strain on the budget.
Dr. Kuncham thanked those involved in the budget for their efforts, and added that the expenditure list to be presented on February 16 was still being tightened, and he hoped to be able to present an expenditure increase of 2.5% or lower.
On the revenue side, he noted that the district has available reserves and possible unspent federal education funding, but advised that such monies should only be applied with caution, since 2012-2013 could be as bad if not worse.
Dr. Kuncham also spoke about the tax cap bill, S. 2706, which has passed the Senate and is pending in the Assembly. It will put a 2% cap on tax levy increases, which will now be the issue voters will consider rather than expenditures, and an increase of more than that will require a supermajority (60%) vote.
With a contingency cap already in place for state schools, board President Debra McQuillan angrilly described this measure as being meant “simply to attack school districts.” Dr. Kuncham noted that, thankfully, the cap would not take effect until the 2012-13 budgetary year, and changes could be made to it in the assembly. The contingency cap for this year will be 1.92%, or 120% of the Consumer Price Index increase of 1.6%.
In one final budget note, Dr. Kuncham said that an additional matter will be placed on the ballot for the budget vote, which will be held on May 17 – expenditures from the capital reserve fund the district previously established for the purpose of a boiler at Atkinson, a playground at Archer and a parking lot at Bayview. Ths proposition will have no effect on the expenditure budget.
In other matters, the board:
• Authorized the disposal of certain social studies textbooks.
• passed a resolution establishing the May 17 date for the budget vote, and setting the board's May 4 meeting as a budget hearing.
• Approving a school calendar for the 2011-2012 school year.
• Accepted a gift of $445 for a field trip to the Cradle of Aviation, as well as a scholarship.
• Approved a contract for legal work, as well as an environmental report considering certain capital improvements at Atkinson.
In keeping with the theme of Freeport versus the elements, it was announced that the recognition of 20-year employees – planned for cancelled meetings in January and February – would be rescheduled sometime in March.
