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Haldane Set to Finalize Proposed 08/09 Budget
Tax rate would increase 4% if approved by voters
by Mike Turton
The cost of education was uppermost in everyone's mind as trustees for the Haldane School District reviewed the proposed budget for 2008/09 at its March 18, 2008 workshop. One of the first images in a PowerPoint presentation by Business Manager Anne Dinio outlined the District's stated goal in the budget process. "We will provide an exemplary education while maintaining a fiscally responsible budget." While the budget presentation was next to last on the agenda, it was the item uppermost in everyone's mind.
The proposed spending plan, which Superintendent of Education Mark Villanti would like to see finalized for public review early in April, totals $19,998,228. That represents a spending increase of 7.34 % or $1,367, 987 which translates into a tax rate increase of 3.98%. In 2007, 2006 and 2005 spending increased by six, ten and twelve percent respectively. In his comments, Villanti stressed that budgeting for 20008-2009 has been done conservatively, with care taken not to overestimate revenues or underestimate costs. "This is the worst case scenario" Villanti said, adding that he anticipates that final totals could be slightly lower once State aid and other factors are determined. Because the district is deemed "wealthy" by the State, the Haldane School District receives State aid at a rate of twelve to fourteen percent. Communities further upstate receive State aid at rates as high as eighty percent. Based on a total current enrollment of eight hundred and eighty students, kindergarten through twelfth grade, the proposed spending plan puts the cost of education in the Haldane School District at $22,725 per student for the 2008/09 budget year.
Haldane trustees themselves appear to have very little wiggle room. While capital and administrative costs have remained steady, the largest increases have been in the program portion of the budget. Program includes teacher salaries and benefits. Essentially a fixed cost, program wages and benefits total more than fifteen million dollars and represent seventy five percent of expenditures in the proposed spending plan. The $100,000 earmarked for capital repairs would fund only items that the Board felt cannot be put off any longer. A vote will be held next fall on a much larger proposed capital project which is separate from the proposed budget. Other new expenditures in the draft budget include such basics as vans to upgrade an aging bus fleet, team uniforms, lockers, science and music equipment and repairs to playing fields. The largest single item not yet settled is the possible creation of one new math teaching position. High School principal Brian Alm has argued in favor of the new position as a means of offering more support to students who need it. At last week's workshop, District president Dave Merandy indicated that he was not sold on the idea, stating that he felt math was already "one of the areas we emphasize most at Haldane." Trustee Michael Junjulas came close to agreeing, commenting that he was not yet convinced of the need for the new position and that he was "still on the fence." While staff will investigate some possible cost-cutting measures such as leasing rather than purchasing new vans and use of volunteers for one-time projects, any effects on the overall budget would be miniscule. Trustees have praised Villanti and senior District staff for the manner in which budget information has been researched and presented. Residents will vote on the budget in May.
In other business, Superintendent Villanti praised the Haldane girls basketball team for bringing home the New York State Class C basketball Championship last week. He also reported that two "Destination Imagination" teams are headed to the State competition. If the teams succeed in Binghamton, they will be raising funds for their trip to the global competition in Tennessee.
In May, Villanti will present a report to the District on the process used to select members of Haldane's athletic teams, an issue that has been a topic of discussion at meetings in the past. He also updated trustees on the search for a new Director of Special Education. Fiftyfive applications have been received to date and at least "five very strong candidates" will be interviewed. Villanti hopes to make a hiring recommendation to the District within the next few weeks.
Trustees accepted the audit report prepared by Nugent and Haeussler PC for the fiscal year ending June, 2007. They also approved the establishment of the Alfred J. Nastasi Memorial scholarship. Mr. Nastasi, who passed away last year, was a fixture at Haldane sporting events and was a graduate of the school in 1950. Also approved was the establishment of the Haldane Football Association Scholarship. An Innovation Grant for $1591 was accepted from the Haldane School Foundation to fund a field trip by the seventh grade class this April to the Clearpool Education Center in Carmel. Tom Nastasi was appointed varsity spring track coach.
A resolution was approved to establishing a capital reserve fund. Spending from the reserve fund must be approved by public referendum. The District also authorized acquisition of three vans to replace buses that have reached the end of their service.
The District meets next Tuesday, April 1 at 7pm and will review the budget for what will likely bee the final time before adopting it for the public vote.
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