Education

2014 voters’ guide for North Fork school districts

Southold-BOE-meeting-preview-March-13-2013

SOUTHOLD
Budget: $28.8 million
Estimated tax levy increase: 1.83 percent

The budget’s nearly $756,000, or 2.7 percent, spending increase includes expenditures of about $14.3 million for salaries, a 4.6 percent increase over the current school year, and $7.8 million for benefits, a nearly 9.7 percent hike.

Superintendent David Gamberg said shared services, reducing transportation costs and refinancing debt helped keep the district under the tax cap.

A shared superintendent contract in which Mr. Gamberg will serve as superintendent for both Southold and Greenport over the next two school years was among the proposals expected to save the district money.

The proposed spending plan also maintains current student programming and services, Mr. Gamberg said, and includes hiring an athletic trainer.

He said Southold’s transportation costs are expected to decrease by 10.3 percent, or $122,861, as a result of a recent district-wide survey that determined the most efficient bus routes. Mr. Gamberg estimates transportation expenses will total about $1 million next year.

The district is also expected to secure additional savings next fiscal year by refinancing a bond issued in 2005, he said.

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