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Haldane Continues to Fine-Tune 2008-09 Budget
State funding will be final puzzle piece
by Mike Turton
Trustees for the Haldane School District continued to review the proposed 2008-2009 budget at their April 1 meeting, making no major changes. Final budget numbers won't be calculated until state grant rates are known. The budget reviewed last week actually included a slight decrease in the tax rate compared to the spending plan outlined earlier in March. The current budget calls for a 3.6% estimated increase in the tax rate, for an overall budget of $19,996,358. Superintendent Mark Villanti indicated that while the state grant rates won't affect the spending plan it could affect revenue projections. Currently, state revenues account for about 13% of revenues with local taxes bearing 83% of the burden with the remaining 4% coming from miscellaneous sources. Villanti has stressed a conservative approach to the draft budget, taking pains not to over estimate revenues while not under estimating expenditures. The final proposed budget will be presented at the District's April 15 meeting. Voters will say yeah or nay in a May 20 vote. Villanti said he feels that the District must seek ways to stabilize tax rates over the next two to three years, adding that the upcoming budget includes some large expenditures that won't occur annually.
Trustee Evan Schwartz pointed out that without the big increases in fuel costs during the past year the tax rate increase would be less than 3 percent. Haldane uses about 60,000 gallons of fuel oil each year. Last year, $160,000 was earmarked for fuel but actual expenditures came in excess of $100, 000 more than budgeted. The 2008-2009 budget allots $282, 748 for fuel - a seventy seven percent increase over the previous year. A citizen's group is currently raising money to fund a feasibility study to assess the cost-effectiveness of three alternative systems for heating the school. The two oil-fired boilers that currently heat the school are at the end of their useful life and must be replaced as soon as possible.
Schwartz also stressed that with budget increases it is important for the District to have measurable goals by which the public can measure success. He mentioned improved math and English testing scores along with use of the online Atlas software through which parents will track the academic progress of their children as being areas where specific goals would be very useful. Superintendent Villanti indicated that the District's new strategic plan now being drafted will provide a guide for evaluating success and that "…by May or June we will have concrete measurable objectives."
Trustee Bruce Campbell spoke strongly in favor of the capital improvement reserve fund being established stating that "It's something we really have to pay attention to in the future." President Dave Merandy underlined that it is important to emphasize that the $1million figure is a maximum target amount for the fund over a ten year period that "really depends on how things play out." Villanti was quick to point out that the fund is not "extra money" but rather is "about planning our spending." He pointed to the purchase of a Kabota tractor as a good example of prudent spending. The tractor will be used by the maintenance department, resulting in considerable savings in labor costs. "It's a good investment" Villanti stated before adding "No more trips to Wappingers to rent equipment. "President Merandy also encouraged staff to look into purchasing a car as a more cost effective means of transporting small numbers of students than less fuel-efficient vans.
Merandy picked up on the planned spending theme, asserting that "Personal finance should be part of the core curriculum. People have to know how financing works, the nitty-gritty. It's been sorely lacking. Maybe if people had been better educated we wouldn't be in this mess now" he said. Superintendent Villanti indicated that there are a number of opportunities for including business math in curriculum. He pointed to the proposed new math position and online business and economics courses through Dutchess Community College as having good potential.
Hans Moeller, a senior citizen in the audience, offered his comments to trustees. "There's an old Polish saying that translates, 'Who shall pay for this'" he offered before going on to criticize the State of New York for the number of unfunded mandates it imposes on School Districts. "We need to send a bus to Albany with board members, teachers, and tax payers. We have to buttonhole legislators and send them the message that this can't go on" Moeller said. "I challenge you to take a position and see if the public will follow." He concluded saying "By the way, I'm going to vote 'yes' on the budget."
After listening to Moeller, Merandy added, "It's not just school boards. New York State is holding us hostage and people are going along with it. Funded mandates or unfunded mandates - we're not getting much (funding from the State)" he said.
Trustees discussed a letter from Joe Barbaro, a local resident and a frequent attendee at District meetings. In his letter, Barbaro renewed his campaign to have the Haldane School District merge with other school districts as a cost savings measure. Haldane trustees are by no means opposed to the idea. Dave Merandy mentioned that the idea of merging with Putnam Valley had been discussed in the past but that with that district recently building new schools such a move would make no sense at this time. Trustee Makaria Gallagher pointed out that there is already a great deal of cooperation with Garrison school district including joint committees and coordinated programs. Dave Merandy indicated that both Districts would have to vote in favor of exploring the idea before moving forward. Trustee Michael Junjulas volunteered to attend a meeting of the Garrison School District to discuss the matter informally.
The Haldane School District meets next on Tuesday, April 15 at 7pm.
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