|
Garrison School Board Estimates Tax Rate Increase of 3.97%
by Margaret Sternberg
The greater part of the April 9, 2008 meeting of the Garrison Board of Education was devoted to the presentation, explanation and later the adoption of the proposed 2008-9 district budget, with its estimated 3.97 percent tax rate increase. The tax rate is estimated because the assessment roles will not be finalized until August, so the district makes educated projections on the numbers. Historically, the tax rate numbers calculated in April have been accurate. The district's budget to budget increase will be 4.99 percent, rising from $8,474,094 to $8,897,128.
The 3.97 percent tax rate would mean that the tax rate increase for each $1,000 of assessed value would rise $0.69, from $17.29 to $17.98, in Philipstown, and $0.30 in Putnam Valley, from $7.48 to $7.78. The lower rate in Putnam Valley is a function of Putnam Valley being at a 100 percent assessment rate.
The budget is reflective of $217,305 in reductions to various non-instructional areas within the school as well as $628,055 in increases, many of which are either mandated or contractual.
Among the reductions taken from 2007-8, the district has made a $5,850 cut in the budget for the superintendent's office, as well as cutting $12,900 in the cost of copier rentals, mailing and supplies. In other areas, the district is saving $72,108 in debt service, $12,750 in contract transportation for trips, $9,000 in transportation insurance and other expenses, and $8,802 in the business office. Through the completion this year of the Math textbooks purchase, the district saves $38,650, with an unrelated $20,000 saving in tuition for occupational education. In the area of plant operations and maintenance, the district will save $21,775.
Expected increases include the district allotting $182,850 for salary step increases, $78,227 for employee benefits and $114,015 for Special Education tuition for two additional students. (The district has not settled its negotiations with its unions and will meet with the mediator April 16.) Regular education tuition is expected to increase $71,338. By contract, BOCES Special Education Services rise $49,635 for one additional student going out of the district.
Special Education bus runs will rise $42,000, and the regular transportation contract cost rises $17,000. The prices of heating oil and diesel fuel and gasoline account for, respectively, $12,200 and $11,000 in increases. The addition of a Technology Assistant for the Technology teacher adds $25,000 and $14,790 in increases is anticipated because of raises in rates and the levels of service provided by Special Education service providers such as Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapists.
The 2008-9 budget attempts to address recommendations made by various Board Committees consistent with board goals. Recommendations include integration of performing and visual arts into the curriculum, which would encompass continuation of the drama program; foreign language in the third, fourth and fifth grades; interactive SMART Boards for classrooms; upgrading of the network infrastructure; replacement of outdated computers, and professional development to integrate the new technology.
The Facilities Committee recommended utilization of the district's capital fund to replace the leaking roof, replace the windows as well as make bathroom improvements in the original stone building, install a maintenance shed and do paving work and replace the cafeteria floor tiles. Professional maintenance of the School Forest meadow was also recommended.
Aside from the budget presentation, the meeting featured a report from the Education Committee, which summarized efforts and projects of 2007-8 and news that the committee was already planning for the 2008-9 year. Trustee Marilyn Palefsky said the committee was considering the implementation of a web-based integrated Social Studies program for Grades 1-5, and that a decision would be made following a one-week trial that will be conducted from April 28 through May 2. Trustee Palefsky also reported that the teachers are working on the by-laws that will be used to help the district implement a National Junior Honor Society within the school.
In a report on the School Forest, School Board President Anita Prentice said that the School Forest Committee is recommending that the district explore joining the Hudson River Valley Greenway, which is in the middle of trying to provide a "green trail" from Manhattan to Albany. Trustee Prentice said that two school trails could connect two ends of existing green trails on state land. The Board authorized Superintendent Gloria Colucci to check with the district's attorney about liability issues and advise the board.
School board seats currently occupied by Trustees Diana Swinburne and Jim Cannon are open this year. Ms. Swinburne has said she is running for reelection, and Mr. Cannon obtained a petition preparatory to running again. Petitions must be submitted by those seeking to run by April 21.
The next meeting of the Garrison Board of Education will be Tuesday, April 29, at 7:30pm.
Providing local news, information and opinions from
Philipstown and Putnam Valley, NY
Encompassing the Villages of Cold Spring and Nelsonville,
and the hamlet of Garrison, Putnam County, NY.
This site is a publication of The Putnam County News and Recorder, the source for news and information of the Philipstown
and Putnam Valley area. The PCN&R is 139
years old, published in hard copy every Wednesday, and circulated throughout Putnam
County, NY.
The PCN&R prints LEGAL NOTICES
for: Putnam County, The Town of Philipstown, The Town of Putnam Valley, Village of Cold Spring, Village of
Nelsonville, the Haldane Union Free School District and the Garrison Union Free School
District.
Deadline for printed press releases, advertisements and classifieds is Monday at noon for
Wednesday publication. This site is updated on an as-needed basis with a minimum update
weekly on Thursdays. For further information or to request a subscription to the paper, please
contact us with your name and mailing address at:
(845) 265-2468 PO Box 185, Cold Spring, NY 10516, or e-mail us at editor@pcnr.com
If you see an advertiser on line, tell them! | Click ads below
for larger version
System and Method for Display
Ads have a Patent Pending.
Click Here for More Information
|
