The Hicksville Board of Education held their final budget presentation Wednesday, May 6. The school budget was officially adopted at the April 21 meeting and a basic summary of the budget was laid out one last time in advance of the annual budget vote on Tuesday, May 19.
The final budget for the 2015-16 school year stands at $130,113,135. This is a difference of 1.70 percent ($2,177,182,) compared with the 2014-15 budget number of $127,935,953. The proposed budget calls for a .65 percent tax levy increase, which falls within the district’s allowable limit as mandated by the state.
Budget highlights include a new Common Core aligned reading program for every elementary grade level, the continued expansion of technology in the district, such as distribution of Chromebooks and Smart Boards and the expansion of the DOSHI STEM Program. A new financial literacy course will be added at the high school level and there will be an expansion of the evening high school program.
“These are just some examples of the exciting initiatives and additions inherent in this budget,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carl Bonuso. “Our programs remain focused on fostering the academic and personal growth of our students and ensuring our students are college and career ready.”
The proposed budget includes adding staff for Special Education and Support services and ESL and bilingual services in the 2015-16 school year. This will include an additional bilingual teacher at the elementary school level and nine full-time ESL teachers in the district. There will also be additional teaching assistants on staff.
District administration held their facilities tour earlier in the school year and identified several maintenance projects that were placed in the proposed budget. Some of these projects include asphalt repair district wide, locker repairs and repainting, classroom floor replacement, playground equipment repair, refinishing of gym floors and district-wide painting. The total cost of the 2015-16 list of maintenance projects is $433,114.
Also on the ballot will be a proposition that asks voters to establish a capital reserve for building improvements. The board is asking voters to approve funding this reserve by moving $1,913,195 from an already established tax certiorari reserve. This proposition represents no additional cost to the tax payer. The $1.9 million dollars would be used to fund capital reserve projects, which are part of the district’s five year capital plan and includes roof replacements at Lee and Burns Avenue Elementary schools, sidewalk repairs at Fork Lane, gutter repairs at the Middle School and district-wide exterior door replacements.
The board is also asking voters to establish a capital reserve for technology projects, funded by moving $292,199 from an already established tax certiorari reserve, and authorize the board to use the funds for specific technology projects, which include a high school TV studio, iPad cases and document cameras. This proposition would be at no additional cost to residents.
Bonuso said some upcoming fiscal challenges the district will face are a tax levy limit legislation with no mandate relief, a reduction of the PILOT revenue and continuation of the GAP Elimination Adjustment.
Elections take place May 19 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the district’s elementary schools. Visit www.hicksvillepublicschools.org for more information and voting locations.
