Fiscal oversight

I am writing on behalf of the nine members of the Monroe-Woodbury Board of Education concerning the 2011-12 school budget. Fiscal oversight is one of the key responsibilities of the Board of Education, and each year we review and approve the superintendent’s proposed budget. We are aware of the budget challenges facing our administration and the taxpayers of our district. This board is committed to operating transparently, ensuring that all the stakeholders of this fine school district are given the details of this year’s school budget. For the last three years, the Board of Education, with the assistance of the superintendent and the assistant superintendents for business and human resources, has continued to reduce the operating budget to bring it in line with the federal and state aid reductions. This was accomplished by anticipating the economic downturn three years ago and directing the superintendent to initiate a hiring freeze on all open positions created through retirement, allowing us to consolidate and eliminate positions through attrition. The district also continues to apply a zero-based budgeting system which the board considers beneficial to the hard-working taxpayers while ensuring our children’s educational programs. Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature have adopted a budget that cut more than $1 billion in education aid to help eliminate New York’s estimated $9 billion deficit. This means a $2.7 million cut in state aid to the Monroe-Woodbury School District for next year. The Board of Education will not pass these revenue losses on to our taxpayers given the hard financial times that are continuing for many families in the district. This year’s budget reflects what the board believes to be is the best solution for the taxpayers and the children. All major areas of the operational budget were reduced, resulting in a budget to budget increase of 0.9 percent. With an operational budget of less than 1 percent, the resulting tax levy will be 2.82 percent, which is the lowest in decades. All permanent staff reductions were through attrition and with the federal jobs bill there were no layoffs of teachers and other full-time staff. This budget not only allows us to maintain our excellent academic programs that prepare our children for the future, but also prepares us for next year’s budget cycle in which economic conditions will continue to put pressure on our operational budget. There is one other proposition for consideration by the voters. Proposition II is for the replacement of ten buses. The Monroe-Woodbury School District encompasses one of the largest geographical areas for the safe transport of children in the region. We get an extraordinary 13 years of average life from our buses, but every year we have to cycle in new ones. The important fact is that the cost of these buses is 59 percent reimbursable from state aid. This board takes their fiscal responsibility seriously and we are committed to ensuring our community’s children are prepared for the future, while recognizing the needs of all our taxpayers in this outstanding school district. The board accomplishes this through three important committees. The Visitation Committee, chaired by Wayne Chan, makes certain that our facilities are mechanically and structurally sound and works with the district in establishing the capital projects each year. The Audit Committee, chaired by Eleni Carter, ensures the financial stability of the district to protect the taxpayers of our community. The Policy Committee, chaired by Jennifer Trumper, establishes the guiding principles to guarantee the highest quality education for our children. The work of these committees has been instrumental in the development of this budget. This is a responsible budget as it balances the needs of our children against the economic reality that our community is facing. Through the foresight of the board and the administration, we continue to bring this financial crisis in for a soft landing, minimizing the impact on our children’s education. The Board of Education would like to thank the community for its cooperation during these economic times and ask you to please make sure you come to Central Valley Elementary school to vote on Tuesday, May 17. Dr. Michael DiGeronimo, president Monroe-Woodbury School Board