Schools
Elwood BOE Gives Final Budget Presentation Before Vote
Public participation was minimal at Elwood's budget hearing; 2.12 percent tax levy is within the state's guidelines.
In contrast to last year's contentious budget process, the Elwood Board of Education's May 3 budget hearing was a low-key event. Assistant Superintendent of Business Bill Pastore gave a recap of the $54.6 million budget, which represents a .83 percent increase over 2011-2012. The 2.12 percent tax levy equates to an estimated tax rate of 3.31 percent. A PDF of the budget newsletter is attached to this article.
The 2.12 percent levy is within the new state tax cap guidelines. In comparison, 17 districts in Nassau and Suffolk County have chosen to pierce, or exceed, the cap. Approval requires a super vote of 60 percent.
The average budget-to-budget increase in Elwood since 2004-2005 was 6.02 percent and the average tax levy increase was 6.39 percent.
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In addition to 11 reductions in staff, Pastore highlighted a few other areas of savings in his presentation, including a 54.7 percent savings in equipment and a net savings of $150,000 in debt service.
Citing data from the New York State Report Card, Pastore said the average expenditure per student in Elwood is $18,000 per year. "We are pretty much the lowest in the Huntington School District," he said.
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Pastore thanked Trustee Andrew Kaplan, Ken Rubin and the members of the for their analysis and cost accounting of existing programs in Elwood like the school lunch program and transportation.
Public response to Pastore's presentation was light. Only one resident spoke, calling the presentation " a dog and pony show." She noted that the district hadn't done much to decrease the numbers because some numbers, like health insurance, had decreased on their own.
Pastore noted that numbers, like ERS contributions and insurance, will fluctuate from year to year. This year teachers contributed more to health insurance due to a change in the contract.
The woman suggested that the district negotiate a better contract with the teachers next year.
The budget vote will take place on Tuesday, May 15 from 2 to 10 p.m. in the cafeteria. Board President Joseph Fusaro and VP Dan Ciccone are running unopposed for the two open Board seats.
