RSS 2.0 FeedMarch 31, 2011, Wantagh Seaford Citizen
Wantagh schools tackle budget in ‘town hall’ meeting
Citizens offer solutions to budget.
In response to a tight fiscal climate coupled with a $2 million loss of state aid that would affect the Wantagh school district's 2011-12 budget, the Board of Education and central administration held its first-ever town hall meeting on Thursday, March 24.
The three-hour meeting at the high school drew approximately 250 parents, students and school administrators, as well as community homeowners concerned about tax implications. The crowd was so large, spilling out into the hallway of rooms 150-152, that it was moved to the auditorium.
“We are at the end of our budget-building process and we find ourselves with hard choices to make,” said Wantagh schools superintendent Dr. Lydia Begley. “Before we adopt the budget for next year, we would like to hear what you're thinking. We want to know, where do we go from here?”
State aid facts and figures
Governor Andrew Cuomo has indicated Nassau County school districts will lose approximately 11% in state aid. In Wantagh, that amount is larger, due to loss of $775,000 in building aid. 2011-12 is also the year the district loses American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds in the amount of $643,000.
In 2011-12, a projected 2% tax cap on school districts is likely, which will further affect the budget. The increased gap elimination adjustment would be $776,000, Dr. Begley added.
Describing the wide array of instructional and extracurricular activities, as well as the necessary facilities maintenance projects the preliminary budget would include, Dr. Begley then cited 2011-12 budget reductions “so far.”
These include central administration salary freezes, reductions in clericals and non-essential building maintenance, elimination of elementary intramurals, combination of seventh and eighth grade sports teams, and reduction of special education aides and instructional positions due to decreased enrollment.
Budget cuts announced
The proposed cuts met with the most emotion, however, were the elimination of the Wantagh High School swim team; cutting the high school tour play; and the removal of the part-time elementary supervisor position at Wantagh Elementary School held by Anthony Cuiffo, who would remain as a physical education teacher.
“We are trying to trim the fat, although there's not much fat to trim,” said Dr. Begley, noting that the Wantagh district has the lowest K-12 per-pupil spending in the county. She emphasized that the budget was preliminary – “a work in progress.”
She also encouraged residents to make their voices heard by writing to elected officials about state aid cuts. A sample letter is posted on the district's website, wantaghschools.org.
“Silence is deadly. Silence is apathy. Nothing is more powerful than your voice,” Dr. Begley said.
Budget increase of 1.68%
The proposed budget-to-budget increase, according to Dana DiCapua, assistant superintendent for business, would be 1.68%. This would result in an estimated $343 tax increase for the average district home assessed at $418,000.
The property tax levy needed to meet the 1.68% budget increase would be 4.71%. Under a contingency situation, the budget-to-budget increase would be 1.92%.
Dr. Begley said that the 1.68% budget increase was the lowest she'd seen in her 12 years at the district. “We have tried to be very judicious in our decision-making,” she said. “Every cut is painful.”
Swim team cut
Several residents asked why the swim team, rather than other sports teams, was eliminated. The audience was told that swimming is considered “a rental sport,” because the district does not have its own pool and must transport the team outside the district for meets and practices. According to Ms. DiCapua, the swim team costs $55,000 a year to run.
“There's a lot of camaraderie among the swim team,” said a parent in response to the cut. “They love to swim. They use their swimming to become lifeguards and trainers.”
A former swim team member suggested that middle school sports be reduced instead of eliminating an entire high school team, noting that younger athletes can play sports through PAL and CYO.
Another parent suggested taking away a little bit from every sport instead of cutting the swim team.
“If you take swimming away, you will confirm that this is a football/lacrosse/wrestling town,” said one father.
Other parents suggested reducing swim team expenses through corporate sponsorships – an idea which the Board of Education said they have been looking into for years.
Citizens propose solutions
Residents emphatically commented on other budget matters as well. One asked that instead of freezing central administration salaries, those involved should instead give back their pay.
Another suggested that teachers’ schedules be extended to include prep coverages and substitutions. Using student volunteers in place of paid personnel was also suggested, as was alumni fundraising.
When the suggestion to consolidate administrations and school districts was raised, Dr. Begley noted that Wantagh has been talking with the Seaford School District regarding possible consolidation. Ms. DiCapua added that the district was already successfully involved in consolidation via consortiums for larger budget items such as fuel.
“What is the sacrifice?”
“We will continue to look under every nook and cranny to find a reduction this community is willing to bear,” said school board President Jean Quinn, citing the need for a budget that was both palatable and able to maintain academic standards. “Are we willing to go to a higher tax levy?” she asked, “Where is the sacrifice?”
“You're not going to find answers by going over the budget again and again,” said a resident, who suggested the district look into public/private partnerships and grant programs.
“We constantly seek out grants,” explained Dr. Begley, who said that Wantagh does not qualify for such grants as “Race to the Top” because it is neither a low-income nor a low-performing district.
Local legislators, however, have been instrumental in securing grants for such things as playground equipment and technology. The district has also been the beneficiary of many generous private donations. Dr. Begley said that private partnerships, however, were “tricky” because the schools are public.
Several audience members took issue with the 4.71% property tax levy, mentioning that the actual figure for Wantagh, published in a recent Newsday article, was 11%.
A resident suggested that if people could eat one less meal at McDonald’s, they could save $20, which could go toward their property taxes.
In response, decrying her economic situation, one homeowner protested, “Twenty dollars becomes $30 becomes $40. I can’t work any more than I can, and I’m not moving out of my tiny house. Think about that as you add more and more back into the budget."
In all, about 45 citizens voiced their opinions during the Town Hall meeting, with more than one beginning their remarks by saying “I love living in Wantagh.”
Commented Superintendent Begley, “There is a great passion that is shared by everyone in this room. That is why we are here. I truly believe the Wantagh district is the gem of the South Shore. We don’t produce widgets. We produce exceptionally educated children.”
The proposed 2011-12 budget will be adopted at the Wantagh School District's April 14 board meeting.
