The Sachem Central School District Board of Education hosted another special budget meeting on Tuesday evening in the auditorium at Samoset Middle School. Administration presented a new list of recommended cuts to get the budget down to the 3.14 percent tax cap in anticipation of the next budget vote on June 18.
There were no formal decisions made by the board of education on Tuesday, only discussion regarding the recommended items.
“We came up with another scenario. We can still have another meeting tomorrow or the night after. The whole idea is to continue to work with the community and to come up with, no differently than we tried in the very beginning, something that at least 51 percent of our community would support,” said Sachem Superintendent James Nolan. “That has been the most difficult task of this process because people’s priorities are greatly different depending on the age of their children and the activities their involved in.”
While the board had requested a feasibility report on the potential closing of two middle schools
The board had requested a feasibility report on the potential closing of two middle schools and is likely to receive that from administration before Wednesday’s scheduled meeting. Many of the previously recommended cuts still remain on the table. CLICK HERE to see the documents handed out during Tuesday’s meeting.
As the 2013-14 proposed budget was defeated on May 21, the following is a recommendation to meet the tax cap of 3.14 percent which is to be voted on June 18.
- Half-day kindergarten
- Two FTE administrative reductions
- Increase elementary class size by two, except for kindergarten level
- Six FTE elementary librarians
- Six FTE social workers
- 50% reduction in co-curricular clubs. This will allow cheerleading, Arrowettes and marching band to be included in the 2013-14 budget.
- Reduction of all kindergarten aides (44)
- Elimination of the GATE program
- Two FTE psychologists
- Eight FTE district-wide clerical
- Two FTE school communication aides
- Three FTE (two custodial, one auto mechanic)
In addition is a recommendation to increase the revenue as follows:
- Increase child care fees by 15 percent. This is in addition to the 20 percent previously authorized by the Board of Education, therefore the total increase would be 35 percent. The a.m. session would be $6.50 and the p.m. session would be $13.50. This represents the 35 precent increase.
- Increase music instrument rental fees (currently the music rental fee is $12. It is recommended to increase this fee to $50. This is consistent with surrounding school districts).
- Increase the building usage fees. This is in addition to the $80,000 previously authorized. Therefore the total anticipated building usage fee would be $130,000 by charging $3/hour.
If the board made a lean for half-day kindergarten, administration said there would be additional aftercare available run through SCOPE. The details and information on that are not yet finalized or available.
In regards to the 50 percent reduction in extra-curricular activities, this means that the budget will cover half of the costs for clubs, and clubs would fundraise for the rest. If this were approved, the district would gather information from building administrators on a club-by-club basis.
Next up: There is another special budget meeting scheduled for Wednesday in the auditorium at Samoset at 7:30 p.m.
(Official release of Sachem Central School District)