Tuxedo School District to propose $16,519,011 budget
TUXEDO Tuxedo School Superintendent Carol Lomascolo will recommend a $16,519,011 budget to the Board of Education for adoption on April 19.
Tuxedos current tax levy increase with the proposed 2012-13 budget would be 2.98 percent. This is $112,669 over the tax cap for the district, which is 1.87 percent.
Its (the budget process) actually been very smooth, Lomascolo said. Were being very transparent and upfront with our community and the Board of Education. We typically are not as impacted as other districts might be when there are state aid freezes.
The district has posted its budget presentations on its Web site, www.tuxedoschooldistrict.com. For the first time, residents can sign-up for e-mails to receive updated information on the budget process.
The proposed budget includes a .82 percent, or $73,623 increase for instruction to $9,005,761.
The instruction category includes supervision, in-service training, teaching regular school, special and occupational education, special schools, instructional support and pupil personnel services.
Among other things, this includes an increase of two teacher positions, from .8 full-time equivalent each to 1.0 FTE each.
This allows us to expand program Lomascolo said. To have full time versus a .8 (FTE) allows us to do another offering for students. Its another elective we can offer.
Two cellos, anti-bullying program
But the proposed budget also includes, among other things: a reduction of teachers from the K-8 George Grant Mason School to the George F. Baker High School due to enrollment; a possible reclassification of a teacher from the Mason to the Baker school; contractual increases in sports and club stipends; updating computer hardware; two new cellos; an indoor riding bike and the rollout of the Olweus anti-bullying program.
We do have staffing reductions in the elementary school, not because of budget but because of enrollment, she said. Its a very small percent, but even a small number of students can make a big difference because of our size when we see enrollment declines.
Virtual high school Despite the small enrollment decline challenges, Lomascolo noted a particular elementary program staying in place.
Its important for people to know we rolled out a K-6 Spanish program and we are maintaining that this (next) year, she said. I think its valuable, our community likes it. Everyone knows you should learn a language at an early age.
The high school will also reintroduce the virtual high school (VHS) program it offered several years back, Lomascolo said, giving students access to about 300 elective online courses for students.
It had been discontinued a couple of years ago but we are bringing back to enrich our program, said Lomascolo. We purchase a number of seats, five per semester. Those students who will eligible be determined. We hope they will grow. Previously, we had students who took courses like pre-veterinarian medicine, a bioethics symposium, nuclear physics, peacemaking and writing childrens literature. These are courses a school our size wouldnt be able to offer but now we can, and theyre (students) taking it globally with students around the world. Down the road, this is the direction Id like to go in.
Lomascolo said a program like VHS is important for a small school district.
Were doing small things but they will have big impact because it will enhance the program in the high school, she added.
Other items: The undistributed category - which includes benefits, debt service and inter-fund transfers - features a .18 percent increase, or $8,283 for a total of $4,722,827. This is due to funding requirements for the districts employee and teacher retirement system with rates set by New York State, health insurance/workers compensation costs and debt service.
The general support category - which includes operations and maintenance, board of education and central administration costs, finance and legal/personnel - features a .46 percent reduction, or $9,190, for a total of $1,997,921.
This includes a reduction of $29,598 in expenses due to changes in operations and maintenance, a reclassification of transportation insurances; and the elimination of MTA payroll tax payments as of this April, when all school districts are no longer required to pay .0034 percent.
For the district operated and contracted transportation category, Tuxedo taxpayers will see a .38 percent reduction, or $3,008 for a total of $792,502.
Included in this category are, among other things: three additional part-time drivers; one additional special education/parochial school run; radio upgrades (funded in part with a six percent state aid contribution); gas and diesel costs and contracted transportation requirements.
I think the major challenge across the board in all districts is to educate the community as to what is the two percent cap, said Lomascolo. All of our budget presentations begin with that and how it varies from district to distinct. Its going to take awhile for communities to understand that.
By Nancy Kriz