Hank Grishman, superintendent of the Jericho School District, was the guest speaker at a recent meeting of the Oakwood Princeton Park Civic Association where he answered local residents' questions regarding the upcoming budget vote.

Residents were mailed budget newsletters from the district last week and Grishman highlighted some of the points contained in the newsletter.

The estimated increase in the 2002-2003 proposed school district budget is 10.78 percent, which will pay for the improvement and expansion of many different programs and services.

According to Superintendent Grishman, there are many reasons for the increase in the budget. The first is growth. The student growth and surge that was seen at the elementary schools is now hitting the middle and high school.

One of the challenges that the district faces is the increasing student population. "Funds for an additional 18 classrooms have been incorporated into the proposed budget," said board Vice President Toni Meliambro. "Several years ago, our student population growth was at the elementary level. As these substantially larger classes move into both the middle and the high school, we must provide additional faculty and support personnel to accommodate these students in all subject areas. The impact of growth on staffing costs at the secondary level is extraordinarily significant. Approximately 40 percent of the increase in the budget for the next year is directly related to the district's enrollment growth."

Also, health insurance premiums are increasing. The district is contractually locked into certain carriers. It is anticipated that the losses incurred in the September 11 terrorist attacks will drive up the costs of a variety of insurances in the coming year. The cost of health insurance for employees is expected to rise at about 10-14 percent. Worker's Compensation, property, casualty and general liability insurance are all expected to increase significantly in the coming year as well. These potential costs are provided for in the budget.

Over the next two years, 40 teachers and 20 support positions will be added to the payroll. Support positions entail special education aids and inclusion aids, for example. All staffing additions are related to the students and there is no increase due to the facilities.

"We did not want to cut student services and that is what we would have to do to go lower," said Grishman.

The school budget vote will be held on May 21 from noon - 10 p.m. at the Jericho High School gym. In addition, two board of education seats and the proposed Jericho Library Budget will be on the ballot.

There are two open seats on the board of education this year. Toni Meliambro, the current board vice president, is completing four years as a member of the board of education and Barbara Krieger, a current board trustee, is finishing her first three-year term. Both candidates are running unopposed.

After in depth analysis and serious consideration of input from members of the community during a series of four open budget workshops, the board of education has unanimously adopted a proposed school budget of $65,978,950. This represents an average tax rate of $56.45 per $100 of assessed valuation, a 13 percent ($6.64) increase over the 2001-2002 tax rate.

"The board of education has worked conscientiously to balance our community's commitment to education excellence with fiscal responsibility," said board President Hilari Cohen. "Substantial population growth over the past few years and changing curriculum requirements mandated by the new national and state standards, continue to have a considerable impact on all areas of the budget. We have, as always, prioritized our instructional program which accounts for 64.51 percent of total expenditures. In order to provide our students with a successful educational program, which Jericho has historically provided, minimal increases in other areas of the budget are necessary."

A public hearing on the budget will be held on May 14 in the Jericho High School Little Theater at 7:30 p.m.

Only persons who are qualified voters as of May 21 will be permitted to vote on May 21. Voters must be a citizen of the United States who is 18 years or older and a resident in the Jericho Union Free School district for 30 days or more. New voters will be asked to provide proof of residency and age.

Complete copies of the proposed 2002-2003 Jericho School District budget are available in the Central Administration Office at 99 Cedar Swamp Road. Please call 681-4100 ext. 201 for more information.

Estimated Expenses			Amount		% of Total
Instruction					$42,565,182		64.51%
Debt Services/Employee Benefits	$11,328,390		17.17%
Buildings and Grounds			$5,010,826		7.60%
Pupil Transportation			$4,039,214		6.12%
Central Services				$2,565,438		3.89%
Capital Building Improvements		$350,000		0.53%
Company Services				$119,900		0.18%
TOTALS					$65,978,950		100%