At the last Herricks School Board meeting the tax levy for the 2011-2012 school year was set at $86,929,401. Setting this tax levy will result in a tax increase of 3.78 percent, as advertised.
Further, the board allocated the following funds:
$1,128,834 to the Workers Compensation Reserve Fund.
$948,977 to the Unemployment Insurance Reserve Fund.
$221,043 to the Employees Retirement Contribution Reserve Fund.
Superintendent Bierwirth said, “The district follows the formulas approved by the board at the reorganizational meeting. The unemployment reserve formula made sense, but it is retrospective and we are our faced with quantifiable costs that are not yet reflective in the formula. In light of the recent passing of the tax cap, this amount is revised to bring the balance in the reserve to $1,000,000. The auditors will be in at the end of August and any adjustments required when closing out the records will be adjusted to the Unappropriated/Unassigned Fund Balance. In the event of any required adjustments, the board will be notified.”
Summer Program Huge Success
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Dr. Deirdre Hayes, reported that the summer program had been very successful with 350 students enrolled in the full day program.
Board Responds to Editorial Re: Joseph Wendling
Superintendent Dr. Jack Bierwirth then responded, on behalf of the board, to an editorial in another paper regarding the appointment of Joseph Wendling to help investigate certain cases of children attending the Herricks schools of families who do not meet the residency requirements as defined by New York State law.
Dr. Bierwirth said, “We believe that Mr. Wendling’s experience and expertise will significantly strengthen our efforts. It is New York State law, not Herricks school policy, that students attend schools where they reside with their families and not in whatever community they choose. It is our responsibility to the taxpayers of the community to ensure that we are putting our best efforts into the process of determining the legitimacy of all students attending our schools. The calls from the public over the last year and the rise in instances of illegal rentals in our community, along with alleged “drop offs” and multiple families living in one single family home, moved the Herricks School Board to take action.”
Lease Agreement with Harbor Child Care
The board announced the proposed amount for the 2012-2013 rental of the Herricks Community Center for Harbor Child Care as $297,386.48 for a 2.5 percent two-year lease. Prior to this lease, Harbor Child Care had a one-year lease through 6/30/11 at 3 percent.
Board Approves Final Contract with BOCES
The Board of Education approved the final contract for services for the 2011-2012 school year for the services of BOCES at an amount of $3,344,927.58.
Please Note:
The next regular Herricks School Board meeting will be held at the Herricks Community Center, 999 Herricks Road, New Hyde Park at 8 p.m., not at the customary 7:15 p.m., due to the building tour that will begin at 6 p.m. at the Denton Avenue School.
