So what’s the next Island Trees school budget going to look like? Well, that depends on our elected officials in Albany.
At this month’s Board of Education meeting at Karopczyc, superintendent Dr. Charles Murphy provided an update, saying a final number to present to the public is not quite ready. This is due to state legislators’ deliberations taking longer than expected.
State handgun laws, such as those involving magazine capacity, have taken precedent. The school board will hold a budget work session on April 2, where they hope to finalize the 2013-14 budget.
“From what I hear, both the Assembly and State Senate are supposed to add back high tax aid to school districts,” Murphy said. “For Island Trees, that could mean $300,000 worth of revenue.”
Murphy stressed that this is just speculation, and that if necessary; further work sessions would be tacked on to come up with a final budget. If state tax aid were lower than expected, school district cuts would have to be revisited.
Also during the meeting:
– A $50 scholarship will be established in the name of May-May Leary, a fourth-grade teacher who passed away recently. The scholarship will be awarded annually to one deserving fourth-grader in the district.
– The board approved this year’s Health Service agreements with the Bellmore, Garden City and Jericho school districts.
– A budget transfer of $150,000 from the Health Insurance code to the Fuel & Gas code will cover the projected cost of anticipated fuel deliveries through the end of the heating season.
– Parents and students from the girls softball team have donated an outdoor batting cage, valued at $2200.
– Revisions have been made to the school visitors policy, asking that visitors call ahead to make a school aware that they will be coming and why.
– Revisions have also been made to the ‘Essential Partners’ code of conduct, as all staff members are being asked to wear their school identification while on school property.
The next regular meeting of the school board will be Wednesday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m.
