The Port Washington Board of Education adopted its 2003-2004 budget on April 15. This year's increase is $6,379,080, up 7.67 percent over the 02-03 budget of $85,418,510. The 2001-2002 budget was $80,701,714. However, because of reduced monies on the revenue side of this year's budget, particularly in the $800,000 plus loss of state aid, the tax levy will be 8.1 percent.

The budget vote will be held this year on Tuesday, May 20, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Flower Hill All-Purpose Room. At that time too, voters will select three board members. The three incumbent school board members, Bob Ferro, Julie Meyer and Peter Wezenaar will be seeking re-election. In addition former board member Dr. Roy Nelson is running.

Board member Peter Wezenaar was the only member of the seven-person school board who voted against approving the new budget. When asked to comment, Mr. Wezenaar said, "It's almost unnatural for a school board member to vote against the budget. It's extremely unusual and some would say unwise for one that is running for re-election as I am. But given the over 10 percent tax increase we asked the voters to absorb, (which I supported), and in addition to the reassessment, a very weak economy and a lack of courage on the board, I didn't think asking the public for an 8 percent tax increase was responsible. The board had alternatives, but refused to stand up to special interest groups."

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Geoff Gordon argues, however, that the increase is reasonable in light of the district's continued growing enrollment, construction costs and loss of $800,000 plus in state aid this year. He states, "This budget protects taxpayers and educational excellence."

The superintendent adds that recent data shows that out of 15 similar school districts polled in Nassau County, Port is 11th in terms of pupil expenditure.

The debate over replacing the nurse/teachers in the elementary schools and high school with R.N.s for a savings of approximately $200,000 was settled. The board decided to eliminate the position in the high school in the fall of this year. And, during the next school year, the district will review the duties of the nurse/teacher in the elementary schools and determine if, and how, these can be absorbed by the existing staff especially in terms of counseling the students. In doing so, the board respected the recommendation of Superintendent of Schools Dr. Geoff Gordon.

Dr. Gordon had made a request to the Budget and Finance Committee that the board reassess the issue of the school nurse teacher position. He feels that more time is needed to develop board of education options for the delivery of services at the elementary school level by the elementary principals. He believes a change like this should be thought out, analyzed and planned. "We need more than a few weeks to consider implementing something like this," he said. Dr. Gordon was assured by the elementary schools that they would present him with a plan of action on the school nurse teacher matter and other issues within the next year.

The board also approved a reduction in the legal fee budget allocation. Believing that lawsuits will probably be less than the past few years, board members approved a decrease from $120,000 to $85,000 in the new proposed budget.

No capital improvements are included in the budget. However, the Budget and Finance Committee is awaiting the precise details on the scope for some of the roofs (Weber, M'Haven) and what cost estimates can be obtained on the roof work. The committee also recommended a safety analysis be done as soon as a qualified engineer is identified. Committee chair Rob Seiden notes that "This is priority number one." The funding for this project is under discussion.

The fixed costs for the proposed budget are as follows:

Salaries-$55,000,000-60 percent of budget. (A salary/benefit cost analysis released by administration is on page 22.)

Benefits/Social Security/Pensions-$16,900,000-18.4 percent of budget.

Special education-$5,400,000-5.8 percent of budget.

Transportation-$3,550,000- 3.9 percent of budget

School Debt Service (incl. $68 million bond) $2,500,000-2.72 percent

Library Debt-$542,000-0.58 percent

Both Dr. Gordon and board member and chair of the finance committee Rob Seiden point out that only about 8 to 9 percent of the budget is discretionary, with the rest of the costs fixed. Dr. Gordon notes that even though the fixed costs (i.e. salaries, state mandates, health plans, retirement funds, etc.) increased by $7,237,000, the budget increase is only $6,379,080.

Critics of the budget counter, however, that the district does have discretionary powers over teachers' salaries and benefits, in terms of how large an annual increase in salary they approve for them. They also feel that the board has some latitude in negotiating benefits, hours, etc. for the staff.

In terms of additional staff for next year, Dr. Gordon outlined his priorities for any additional funding that may be obtained through reallocation of existing dollars and/or through the state cutting less aid to local districts. He notes that these items are not in the budget, but are important.

Staffing:

a.) Seven new positions in the high school are needed; due largely to increased enrollment of about 100 students and teachers for the Freshman Learning Center that will help disaffected kids.

b.) 1.4 teachers at the middle school due to enrollment growth

c.) One-fourth grade teacher at Sousa is needed.

d.) Manorhaven first grade: one teacher if there is available space.

e.) Math resource teachers: two in the elementary schools (currently only have 1/2 in each school).

Curriculum:

a.) Currently zero dollars in budget for new curriculum.

b.) Dr. Gordon promoted and the board approved implementation of gifted education for every child and foreign language in the elementary schools. The funding for these will be, as funds become available, for example through attrition/rollover savings, flextime or state budget cut reductions reinstatement.

In line with funding the above program growth, budget critics say they would rather see money recouped by replacing high-tiered retiring teachers with less expensive lower-tiered educators turned back to the taxpayers to alleviate their tax burden.

In the meantime, Budget and Finance Committee members Rob Seiden, Julie Meyer and Bob Ferro announced that their committee is moving ahead and implementing the Superintendent's Task Force on Fraud, Waste, Abuse and Corruption. This has been implemented in other districts around the U.S. with great success, they advise. The committee is following up on the formation of the task force and obtaining advice from legal counsel.