School Vote ’11: A look at the budget numbers

GREENPORT

2011-12 BUDGET REQUEST $14.1 million

2010-11 BUDGET $13.84 million

Change in spending: +1.9 percent

Tax Rate
2011-12 $67.35 per $100 of assessed value*

2010-11 $63.78

Change : +5.6 percent

WHAT’S IN IT?

Elementary and secondary principals’ salaries will be frozen. Mandated spending increases result from higher contributions to the teachers’ and other employees’ retirement systems, contractual salary increases and rising FICA/Medicare costs.
One reading teacher’s post will be eliminated and the Reading First initiative will be dropped in favor of implementing the Response to Intervention program almost a year ahead of the state mandate. That program replaces academic intervention services for students who fail to demonstrate sufficient ability in reading or math.

SOUTHOLD

2011-12 BUDGET REQUEST $26.3 MILLION

2010-11 BUDGET $25.7 MILLION

CHANGE: +2.25 percent

TAX RATE

2011-12 $74.98

2010-11 $73.45

Change +2.08 percent

WHAT’S IN IT?

The removal of 2.4 teaching positions — one at the elementary school level due to a decline in enrollment, one in the Literacy Collaborative program and a reduction of hours in the business education department.
The elementary school enrichment and summer programs were eliminated. The school would put on one instead of two plays at the junior-senior high school level. The number of department chairs and grade level liaisons would be reduced.

OYSTERPONDS

2011-12 BUDGET REQUEST $5.6 MILLION

2010-11 BUDGET $5.5 MILLION

CHANGE +1.44 percent

TAX RATE

2011-12 $35.85

2010-11 $36.41

CHANGE -1.53 percent

WHAT’S IN IT?

In a last-minute decision, the school board agreed to slash $100,000, but a decision on what to cut won’t be made until June.
The board is considering removing a $50,000 allotment for professional development and $30,000 for a professional development consultant. In April the board trimmed the $125,000 buildings repair fund down to $50,000.

NEW SUFFOLK

2011-12 BUDGET REQUEST $645,330

2010-11 BUDGET $826,950

CHANGE -21 percent

TAX RATE

2011-12 $19.39

2010-11 $25.34

CHANGE -23.5 percent

WHAT’S IN IT?

In the fall the school told residents it needed to spend an extra $159,000 to pay unanticipated expenses, most for one-time costs that would disappear this year.
About $100,000 of that funding went for the education of a high needs, special education student who entered the district late last year. After obtaining employment, the student left the school early, in February rather than June. The unspent funds are being applied to next year’s costs.
Other one-time expenses also disappeared. The school will expand its pre-kindergarten program from three to five mornings a week but with a half-hour reduction in time, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. The program currently ends at 11 a.m.

*All tax rates are based on $100 of assessed property value.