Hicksville School District Superintendent Maureen Bright gave an overall picture of the district profile at the school board meeting last Wednesday night. The meeting was the final one before the upcoming budget vote, which will take place on Tuesday, May 21 at Hicksville High School from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The total number for the 2013-14 proposed budget is $124,595,008. This is a 3.29 percent increase or $3,963,375 from the 2012-13 school year. In 2012-13 the total budget was $120,631,633.
“We want to develop a budget that will continue to provide quality educational programs and opportunities for our students,” said Superintendent, Bright. “We want to be sustainable over multiple years and meet state and federal mandates as well as comply with tax levy limit legislation.”
State aid was a main focal point as Bright noted that the district received a slight increase of $555,048 for 2013-14. She said although this was a positive thing, the number was a 14 percent reduction from 2008-09 when the district received $2.2 million in state aid.
The tax levy in the district for 2013-14 is $101,713,347, which is a 2.94 percent increase from 2012-13 when the number was $98,808,447. The estimated cost to the homeowner averages out to $4,810, which is a $138 annual increase from 2012-13 when the cost was $4,672.
Maintenance and capital projects were also a topic of interest as there are several projects in the works for the 2013-14 school year.
“We believe that our school facilities and grounds should be a point of pride in our community,” said Bright. “The proper care and maintenance of the district facilities is a priority.”
Upcoming capital projects include roof replacement at Fork Lane Elementary, totaling $410,000, exterior drain repair at Lee Avenue School, totaling $20,000 and district wide ceiling and lighting replacement totaling $207,880. Total costs for capital repairs with fees are $1,113,601.
Maintenance projects for 2013-14 are district wide classroom floor replacement, gym floor refinishing and fencing replacement. Other projects include district-wide painting and locker repair and repainting. Total costs for maintenance is $231,000.
The next public school board meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 21 at 8:30 p.m. at the administrative building at 200 Division Avenue in Hicksville. Visit the district’s website at: www.hicksvillepublicschools.org for information.
