The Port Washington Board of Education and school administrators are facing, what may euphemistically be called, "challenges." The 2003-2004 budget needs increases in the state health care benefits in the amount of approximately $1 million. Another $1 million increase has to be made to the upcoming budget for the state retirement employee, which is feeling the impact of the current poor stock market. In addition, while state mandates are always being heaped onto the local school districts, Port Washington's state aid is being cut by $811,000, that the district has to find somewhere else. And the fixed contractual increases (i.e. the 3 percent increase in teachers' salaries this year) add to the "challenges."

And, if this isn't enough, as a result of the Nassau County Property Reassessment, the Class I residential taxpayers, those who can vote to approve the budget, will see an average (note-average) 3 percent increase in their share of the tax pie, which has shifted from the other tax categories (i.e. businesses). This is separate from the increases in the annual school budget, and will be included in taxes from other taxing authorities.

Reassessment, and raising taxes for many already tapped out homeowners, is of major concern for the school district. Board President Laura Mogul spoke of the recent article in Newsday on this subject. The piece quoted June and Floyd Mackey, who are well-known, and multi-generational community members, as saying that they didn't care about the price of their homes, they just wanted to be able to continue to live here. She said she knows that the Mackeys speak for many people in Port who are struggling with ever-increasing tax burdens which the board has to be sensitive to.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Geoffrey Gordon emphasized that all school districts are experiencing the same difficulties, citing an article in the Feb. 25 edition of The New York Times on the Briarcliff Manor's school system by Jane Gross entitled "In Gilded Schools, Scrimping Lessons-Even Affluent Suburbs Face Hard Choices in Leaner Times." He maintains, however, that after all of the school budgets on LI are submitted Port Washington's will be one of the lowest, in terms of its percentage increase.

Dr. Gordon informed the audience at the work session held on March 4, that the initial proposed budget increases were 14.5 percent. However, and with high praise for Assistant Superintendent for Business, Mary Callahan, he stated proudly that Ms. Callahan pared it down to 7.6 percent, which includes 0.5 percent debt service for the library

Dr. Gordon pointed out that if the board requested further cuts, these would entail decreasing educational programs for the students, a step he is opposed to taking. "Small class sizes, good teachers and good programs are sacrosanct, he asserted.

Should the board request program cuts, the prioritized list starts with the Frost Valley Program, then moves to driver's ed. (Combining bus routes and eliminating the late bus was also mentioned.)

Finance Committee Chair Robert Seiden pointed out that cuts "reach a point of diminishing returns."For example, a family can save $500 in taxes, however if they have to pay $300 out of their pocket for driver's ed for one of the youngsters, the savings is minimal."

It was also pointed out that the less affluent students will suffer the most because their families can't afford to pay for some of the programs provided by the schools. And, in line with the diminishing returns argument, it's better for the community to have youngsters on the road who have had the benefit of driver's education.

Of note also is the fact that the 7.6 percent increase does not include any capital improvements. However, some of the improvements the district was considering for 2003, may be able to be included in the bond money, subject to bond counsel approval.

Dr. Gordon also announced that he has initiated a freeze on hiring personnel and stressed that he is working to maximize and utilize all current resources.

The superintendent stresses that the administration and the board members are working hard to balance fiscal responsibility, modest growth and the integrity of staff and education. "We can't have it all ways," he said.

This week the board will be receiving the prioritized list of budget cuts from administration, with their approximate savings. The third budget work session, at press time, is March 11, with another special meeting on March 12 to review the budget. The first public hearing will be Tuesday, March 18, at 8 p.m. at Schreiber.

In the meantime, the administration and board are deliberating over which cuts to make, and how deep. All agree it's a "painful" task.