Proposed $77.85 million school budget up 3.76 percent
Superintendent says smallest percentage in 13 years Warwick Dr. Frank Greenhall has presented his proposed $77.85 million budget for the 2008-09 school year to the public, a budget that includes cuts in elementary staffing due to falling enrollment and smaller increases in health care benefits. The budget calls for four less teachers, one in each of the four elementary schools. However, with the addition of one music teacher and one special education teacher, the net loss is two. Greenhall said he expects those cuts will be made via retirements or family leave. Greenhall said he has negotiated a new contract with the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) union that will provide long-term savings to the district. New employees will contribute more toward their benefits and will have to work longer to retire with benefits. Currently, CSEA members pay 10 percent of the difference between an individual health plan and a family plan. New members will pay five percent of the cost of health care for an individual and 10 percent of the cost for a family plan. The district also is in negotiations with the teacher’s union. The base budget includes contractual items such as salary and benefits increases, equipment, private school tuition, debt, supplies and transportation. That is projected to rise $2.6 million, or 3.48 percent over last year’s budget. Staffing is the other part of the budget. The proposal also calls for one special education instructional aide, additional clerical help in the district office, and stipends for weight lifting, an ice hockey club and coaches for junior varsity lacrosse, in addition to the music and special education teachers. That increase is $220,880 or 0.29 percent over last year. Projected enrollment for K through 12 is expected to continue its drop over the next four school years, according to projections made by the district. From 2006 to 2012, that drop is estimated at 8.5 percent districtwide. State aid is also a variable. Greenhall said the state aid picture is not clear yet and, based on Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s initial budget, Warwick would not be included as a “high tax area” and would not receive $700,000 in high tax aid that it received last year. That, of course, is not a done deal yet. Aid from BOCES is also reduced, based on the governor’s preliminary budget. “We’re not looking at the growth in aid percentage that we thought,” he said. With the drop in enrollment and the possibility of a drop in state aid, Greenhall has begun to discuss the start-up of a program here in the district to meet the needs of some of the children who are being bused out to costly private schools, particularly those students with autism. Greenhall said the district just picked up a student whose program will cost the district $70,000 per year and whose transportation costs will run $65,000. “If we can put together a program here in the district, we could keep the kids closer to home and save the district some money,” said Greenhall. The classroom typically would be set up as six students, one teacher, and one aide, Greenhall continued. Even if the district had two students, it would be worth it for the district, he said. That is something not proposed for this coming school year. Greenhall said it would take much planning and he would want to get more input before rolling it out. It would being with a K-1 classroom, then each year, add another year. “We’re shooting for the 2009-10 school year,” he said. This proposed budget is just thata proposal. Greenhall said he believes the totals will go lower as the budget process continues. “I’m hell bent on keeping it as low as possible,” said Greenhall. “Every little bit helps. As contracts are set, people will contribute more to health care. This district is going to be in decent shape. If I can keep taxes down to a modest increase at best, I hope people will see we are working in the best interest of the kids. I hope they will support us.” Upcoming budget sessions At the Dorothy C. Wilson Education Center (Middle School): Monday, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m. Budget work session; BOCES budget review; instructional programs; central services (transportation, buildings and grounds). Monday, March 31, 7:30 p.m. Budget Review: revenue; School Board concludes preliminary budget review. Monday, April 14, 7:30 p.m. Regular board meeting; School Board adopts proposed budget and property tax report card. Monday, May 12, 7 p.m. Budget hearing. Tuesday, May 20: Budget vote at Middle School, Kings Elementary and Pine Island Elementary. The superintendent’s 2008-09 budget presentation can be viewed on the district’s Web site at www.warwickvalleyschools.com.