Sayville Board of Education Adopts 2011-2012 Budget

The Sayville Public School Board of Education officially adopted its 2011-2012 budget at the administration meeting held on April 14. The budget stands at $81.77 million, representing a 3.87 percent increase in spending and a tax levy of 7.39 percent.

“These increases represent the amount that Albany has increased expenses to us – with unfunded mandates and a loss of state aid,” superintendent Dr. Walter Schartner told the board members and community.

According to the board, to keep all the current programs intact, the community must pass the 7.39 percent budget increase. The only changes happening next year are the secondary class sizes have been unified, with grades seven to 12 hovering at about 25 students per class. There is a loss of 5.6 full time employees, two of which are retirements.

The 7.39 percent tax hike equates to $480 per household on average for the year, without STAR exemptions. The district is using roughly $3 million of its fund balance toward the current proposed budget. The budget vote will take place on May 17 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Sayville High School. Voter registration is from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Administration Building on May 10. The budget hearing will also be held on May 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Administration Building.

If the budget does not pass on the first vote, the board has the option to put it back up again with or without revisions. If it fails a second time, a contingency budget would automatically take effect and, according to the board, it would mean devastating changes to the district and a greater tax hike for residents.

The contingency cuts amount to roughly $1.6 million and another $80,000 would still need to be trimmed, Schartner said. The contingency budget would put the tax rate increase at about 9.18 percent, since the school’s fund balance would be pulled out. That amounts to roughly $596 per household per year before STAR savings.

Under a contingency budget, some of the many cuts throughout the district include: middle school sports, 12 assistant varsity coaches, band/orchestra/chorus concerts, student assistance counselor, homework clinic, secondary summer school, travel conferences, supplies and one administrative position reduction. “We are really all hoping that this community will continue to invest in education,” Schartner said.

In other meeting news, kindergarten registration went well, with approximately 200 children entering the district next September. Around 15 more children still have to go through the screening process.

Dr. Gerry Sullivan Keck, deputy superintendent, presented a New York State (NYS) report card showing the academic successes of Sayville School District. Despite the challenges of decreasing resources, Sayville was able to rise above and still exceed NYS standards for test scores in every subject. There were some surprises from NYS last year, she said.

“After the administration of the 3-8 Math and ELA assessment, NYS raised the previously used cut points for passing. NYS also removed the statistically based 34 point rule which allowed for the reality that the assessment given to all students was not an appropriate measure for some students with disabilities,” she said.

April 18 is the due date for petitions for Boards of Education candidates. The Board of Education also released their summer meeting schedule. There will be a meeting on July 7 at 6 p.m., which includes the reorganization and regular business meeting and August 25 at 6 p.m.